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Ireland is scheduled to enter a level three lockdown starting at midnight tonight.
Dublin and Donegal will now join all other counties on the highest alert level after the Government decided to act following a surge in new cases.
The politicians ultimately rejected a recommendation from the National Public Health Emergency Team to move to a full Level Five lockdown.
However, there will be a number of significant changes for people across the country when the new rules go into effect tonight.
(Image: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin)
Here are five things you can no longer do in Ireland after midnight:
1. More than 25 wedding guests
Weddings are allowed to continue on level three, but must now be limited to just 25 guests for the ceremony and reception. This is less than 50 at level two.
2. Contact training in non-elite sports
Under the new rules, non-contact training will only be allowed in groups of up to 15. However, there is an exemption for professional, elite, inter-county, and senior club championship sports.
3. Dining indoors in pubs and restaurants
One of the most important changes is the ban on all indoor meals in pubs, bars and restaurants. These venues can still serve takeout and delivery food and drink, as well as alfresco dining for up to 15 people.
However, Dublin’s wet pubs will remain closed.
4. Travel outside of your county
All non-essential travel outside of your county will be prohibited after midnight. Gardai will establish checkpoints to ensure this rule is followed, and you will only be allowed to cross county borders for work, education, or other essential purposes.
(Image: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin)
5. Use public transportation for non-essential reasons
Government guidelines state that public transportation must be used by essential workers and for essential purposes only after midnight.
Here is a complete list of Level Three restrictions:
Social and family gatherings
In your home or garden
A maximum of 6 people from another household can visit your home.
Other environments outside your home or garden
Social or family gatherings should not take place in other settings.
Wedding
Weddings can continue, but with a limit of 25 guests for the ceremony and reception (regardless of location). It will not be possible to attend a wedding in another county.
Couples who reside in a particular county, but with existing plans to marry, may travel to marry outside of that county.
Organized indoor meetings
These are controlled environments with a designated event organizer, owner, or manager.
For example: business, training events, conferences, theater and cinema events, or other artistic events (excluding sport).
Organized meetings should not take place indoors.
Meetings organized outdoors
These are controlled environments with a designated event organizer, owner, or manager. For example: outdoor arts events, training events.
Meetings of up to 15 people can be held.
sports
Training
Outdoors – Non-contact training only in groups of up to 15 (exemption for professional / elite / intercountry / senior club sports championships).
Indoor: individual training only. There are no exercise or dance classes.
Matches and events
No games or other sporting events should take place, with the exception of professional, elite, inter-county and senior club championships, which must take place behind closed doors.
Horse racing can continue behind closed doors.
Gyms, leisure centers and swimming pools
Gyms, leisure centers, and swimming pools may remain open for individual use only and with protective measures in place.
Religious services
The services move online. Places of worship remain open for private prayer.
Funeral
Up to 25 mourners can attend.
Museums, galleries and other cultural attractions
All places closed.
Libraries will be available for electronic services and call and collect.
Bars, cafes and restaurants (including hotel restaurants and bars)
Restaurants and cafes (including bars or pubs serving food or wet pubs) may remain open for takeout and delivery and outdoor dining or services up to an absolute maximum of 15 people.
Dublin’s wet pubs will be closed.
Nightclubs, discos and casinos
Nightclubs, discos and casinos will be closed.
Hotels and accommodation
Hotels, guesthouses, and B & Bs may remain open, but with limited services to residents.
Retail and services (for example: hairdressers, beauticians, barbers)
Face covers must be worn.
All retail stores and shopping centers can remain open. All services such as hairdressers, beauticians, barbers and opticians can remain open with strict adherence to the sectoral guidelines on protection measures.
There is a specific guide available for:
Job
Work from home unless absolutely necessary to attend in person.
National trips
Stay in your county away from work, education, and other essential purposes, if applicable.
Schools, early education and child care services, adult and higher education
Schools and nurseries are open with protective measures.
In addition, higher and adult education to intensify all appropriate protective measures and limit the congregation as much as possible.
Outdoor Playgrounds, Play Areas, and Parks
All remain open with protective measures in place.
Transport
Face covers must be worn.
Walk or bike whenever possible.
Public transport capacity will be limited to 50%.
Essential workers and essential purposes only.
Those over 70 and the medically vulnerable
People over the age of 70 and medically vulnerable people are advised to continue to exercise personal judgment.
It is recommended that they stay home as much as possible, limiting participation to a very small network for short periods of time, while remaining physically apart.
When exercising outdoors, it is important to keep a distance of 2 meters from others and wash your hands when you return home.
It is recommended to shop only during designated hours, while covering your face and avoiding public transportation.
Long-term residential care facilities (nursing homes and nursing homes)
Visits suspended, regardless of critical and compassionate circumstances.
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