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Donegal, Monaghan and Cavan will move to Level 4 restrictions under the Government Plan to Live with Covid-19 from midnight Thursday through November 10.
The rest of the Republic remains under Level 3 of the Government’s plan.
This followed the confirmation that Northern Ireland will be under tighter coronavirus restrictions for four weeks starting Friday.
Here we see how the rules and guidance differ on the island.
Travel
North Ireland: No unnecessary trips outside your home should be taken. However, the regulations do not set limits on the distance you can travel for any purpose.
Level 3: You cannot leave your county except for work, education, and other essential purposes.
Level 4: Same restrictions as Level 3, although in Level 4 the advice is that only essential or other designated workers should travel to work.
Home visitors
North Ireland: No household mix except for ‘social bubbles’, which are now limited to a maximum of 10 people from two households. No overnight stays in another private home are allowed unless it is in a “bubble”.
Level 3 and Level 4: The Cabinet agreed Wednesday night that visitors are not allowed in private homes and gardens in all counties in the Republic, except for essential purposes.
In outdoor settings away from home and garden, up to six people from no more than two households can get together while maintaining strict social distancing, including for exercising and eating outdoors.
Meetings organized indoors and outdoors
North Ireland: Indoor and outdoor gatherings are limited to a maximum of 15 people, except for permitted outdoor sporting events where the corresponding number will still apply. Theaters and conference centers remain closed.
Level 3 and Level 4: Organized meetings should not take place indoors. Outdoor meetings of up to 15 people can be held. Museums, galleries and other cultural attractions are closed.
Wedding
North Ireland: Up to 25 guests can attend a wedding or civil association ceremony, but no reception.
Level 3: Up to 25 guests can attend a wedding ceremony and reception.
Level 4: Up to 6 guests can attend a wedding ceremony and reception.
Religious services
North Ireland: Religious services may be held and places of worship will remain open, but face must be covered when entering and leaving.
Level 3 and Level 4: Religious services are held online, while places of worship remain open for private prayer.
Funeral
North Ireland: Funerals can take place and are limited to 25 mourners with no pre-funeral or post-funeral meetings.
Level 3 and Level 4: Funerals can still take place with a maximum of 25 mourners.
Sports and matches
North Ireland: No indoor sport of any kind or organized contact sport involving a non-elite domestic mix.
Level 3 and Level 4: Non-contact outdoor training can take place, but only in groups of up to 15. Indoors, only individual training. You cannot take exercise or dance classes.
There is an exemption for professional and elite / inter-county / horse racing sports, and these games and events are allowed behind closed doors. However, the exemption that allows club championship matches to be played behind closed doors has been removed.
Gyms
North Ireland: Gyms can stay open for individual training with local app only.
Level 3: Gyms, leisure centers and swimming pools may open with protective measures for individual training only.
Level 4: Gyms, leisure centers and swimming pools are closed.
Pubs and restaurants
North Ireland: Hospitality businesses will close apart from those that can offer deliveries and take-out, leaving the current closing time of 11 pm.
Level 3 and Level 4: Wet bars, cafes, restaurants and pubs can stay open for alfresco dining with a maximum of 15 people and take out only. No indoor dining room. Nightclubs, discos and casinos remain closed.
Hotels and accommodation
North Ireland: There is no specific mention of hotels in the most recent guide. However, it is understood that the hotels will close for four weeks, according to BBC News NI.
Level 3: These remain open but services are limited to residents.
Level 4: These are open only to existing guests and those with “essential non-social and non-tourist purposes”.
Retail and services
North Ireland: Retail sector can remain open, face covers must be worn. Outside of licenses and supermarkets cannot sell alcohol after 8pm. However, close contact services, such as hairdressers and estheticians, will be closed, in addition to those related to essential health interventions and therapies.
Level 3: Retail and services like hair salons, estheticians, and barbers can remain open with protective measures and the use of face coverings.
Level 4: Essential shops and stores that are primarily outdoors can remain open and face covers should continue to be used. All other personal and retail services are closed.
Schools, kindergartens and universities
North Ireland: Schools and universities will close from October 19-30. Universities and higher education will offer distance learning with only essential face-to-face learning where absolutely necessary.
Level 3: Schools and child care services can remain open with protective measures. Higher and adult education, like universities, should intensify protective measures and limit congregation as much as possible.
Level 4: Schools and nurseries will remain open with protective measures. In addition, adult and higher education primarily moves in line with adequate protective measures for essential on-site assistance.
Guidance for people over 70 and medically vulnerable
North Ireland: People at increased risk of infection, including those over the age of 70, are advised to take extra care and minimize contact with others.
Level 3 and Level 4: People over 70 and medically vulnerable people should “exercise their judgment” regarding the degree to which they interact with others and in activities outside the home, with specific guidance provided.
Nursing home visits
North Ireland: It is recommended that only one person visit a nursing home at a time, although nursing homes in the north may implement their own policy and prohibit visitation or limit visiting times.
Level 3 and Level 4: Nursing and nursing home visits are suspended apart from critical and compassionate circumstances.
Public transport
North Ireland: For essential travel only and face covers should be used.
Level 3: Face shields must be worn on public transportation. People should only use public transportation if they are essential workers or only for essential purposes. People are advised to walk or bike whenever possible. Public transportation capacity will be limited to 50 percent.
Level 4: As level 3, although the transport will operate at 25 percent of its capacity.
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