Here’s a detailed timeline.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin has confirmed that all sectors including clubs and offices will reopen in October.
Addressing the country on Tuesday he also confirmed that mask-wearing and other public health measures will remain in place in certain sectors such as retail and on public transport, however, they will be scrapped in private and outdoor settings.
The final set of restrictions is set to be lifted on 22 October, meanwhile, the first set of restrictions will begin to be eased on 6 September beginning with a return to 100% capacity on public transport and an increase of the number of people allowed to attend outdoor sporting events.
Here are the exact dates for when you can expect each of the sectors to reopen:
1 September
- Full capacity return to public transport.
6 September
- Indoor venues allowed to host events with 60% capacity for fully vaccinated people, and outdoor events with 75% capacity.
- Communions and confirmations to resume.
- Nightclub pilot events.
- Live music allowed in bars and weddings.
- Where patrons have mixed immunity status, there will be no change to the current restrictions during September.
- Indoor events and mass gatherings includes conferences, trade fairs and exhibitions and large-scale business events involving external audiences, and bingo venues allowed to resume.
- For indoor live music, drama, live entertainment and sporting events, the audience/spectators should be fully seated. Easing of capacity limit restrictions does not apply to large privately organised social events.
- Live music may commence having regard to appropriate protective factors.
- Cinemas and theatres will have capacity limits of 60% of venue capacity where all patrons are immune (fully vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19 within previous 6 months), or accompanied minors (under 18), in line with sectoral guidance.
- Where patrons have mixed immunity status, there will be no change to the current limits (50 patrons) during September.
- There will be no change to the current limits (100 guests) at weddings during September, however, live music at weddings will be permitted.
- Where patrons have mixed immunity status, the capacity limit will be 50%, subject to appropriate protective measures including social distancing between groups and face masks.
- All religious ceremonies can proceed with 50% of venue capacity, regardless of immunity status of attendees.
- Coach tour activity can recommence at 50% capacity with protective measures.
20 September
- Phased return of workers to offices on a “phased and staggered basis”.
- Requirement to work from home will be lifted, although blended working is recommended.
- Organised indoor group activities (sports, arts, culture, dance classes) can take place with capacity limits of 100 people (with appropriate protective measures) where all patrons are immune (fully vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19 within previous 6 months), or accompanied minors (under 18).
- Where patrons have mixed immunity status, pods of up to 6 participants will be permitted (excluding adult leaders/teachers). Multiple pods will be permissible subject to protective measures. Number of pods will have regard to the size of venue and substantial social distance between individual pods.
- Restrictions on outdoor group activities for participants will be removed.
22 October
- All other restrictions to be lifted including:
- Digital Covid Certificates will only be needed for international travel and they will not be needed to enter a restaurant or bar. They will also not be necessary for live events.
- Physical distancing measures
- All remaining events on indoor and outdoor events.
Measures that will remain in place include:
Mask-wearing and other public health measures will remain in place in certain sectors such as retail, health care settings and on public transport, however, they will be scrapped in private and outdoor settings.
Social distancing and limits on visitors will also remain for certain healthcare facilities. However, the measures will depend on risk assessments by local infection control teams in hospitals or other medical practices.
People who experience Covid-19 symptoms or receive a positive test will also still be required to self-isolate when restrictions are lifted.
Martin added that a vaccine booster programme will be beginning over the coming months to help combat the spread of the virus as more restrictions continue to ease.
Main Image: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie.
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