What would life be like below level 5?

The Medical Director is due to brief the leaders of the three coalition parties this afternoon on why the National Public Health Emergency Team has recommended moving to Level 5 of the Covid-19 restrictions for six weeks.

Dr. Holohan will be joined by Deputy Medical Director Dr. Ronan Glynn and the Chair of the Epidemiological Modeling Group, Professor Philip Nolan, for the meeting, which will also be attended by the ministers of health, finance and public spending.

Yesterday, the National Public Health Emergencies Team (NPHET) recommended that Ireland enter a six-week Covid-19 level 5 lockdown.

Level 5 would return the country to a state of lockdown similar to that seen in March and is seen as an opportunity to ensure there are no major restrictions during Christmas.

• There would be no home visitation, only essential retail stores would remain open, but schools and nurseries would remain open;
• Organized meetings should not take place, indoors or outdoors;
• Only 10 people would be allowed to attend funeral services and weddings would be limited to six guests;
• Bars, cafes and restaurants would be allowed to offer takeout only;
• People who work from home will be asked to limit their exercise to less than 5 km from home and not to use public transport unless necessary;
• Visits to nursing homes would be suspended except for compassionate circumstances.

It is understood that “due consideration” is being given to the recommendation.

Social and family gatherings

In your home or garden: Only in your own home, without visits.

Other environments outside your home or garden: Social or family gatherings should not take place in other settings.

Bars, cafes and restaurants (including hotel restaurants and bars)

Food to go or only at home.

Wet pubs: Just to go or delivery.

Nightclubs, discos, casinos: All remain closed.

Wedding

Up to 6 guests can attend the wedding ceremony and reception.

Funeral

Up to 10 mourners can attend.

Religious services

The services will be performed online.

Places of worship remain open for private prayer.

Job

Work from home unless it is for health, welfare or other essential service and cannot be done from home.

Domestic travel restrictions

Stay at home.

Exercise within 5 kilometers of your home.

Schools, kindergartens and higher and adult education

Open with protective measures in place.

Organized indoor meetings

Organized meetings should not take place indoors.

Meetings organized outdoors

Organized gatherings should not be held outdoors.

Exercise and sporting events

Training: Only individual training. There are no exercise or dance classes.

Matches and events: There will be no matches or events.

Gyms, leisure centers and swimming pools: Closed gyms / leisure centers / swimming pools.

Museums, galleries and other cultural attractions

All places closed.

Online services are available.

Hotels and accommodation

Open only for those with essential non-social and non-tourist purposes.

Retail trade and services (for example, hairdressers, estheticians, barbers)

Face covers must be worn.

Only essential retailers.

All other personal and retail services closed.

Outdoor Playgrounds, Play Areas, and Parks

Open with protective measures in place.

Transport

Face covers must be worn.

Walk or bike whenever possible.

Public transport capacity will be limited to 25%.

Avoid public transportation: essential workers and essential purposes only.

Over 70 and medically vulnerable people

People aged 70 and over and the medically vulnerable must judge the extent to which they interact with others and in activities outside the home.

Specific guidance will be issued.

Visit long-term residential care facilities (nursing homes and nursing homes)

Suspended, apart from critical and compassionate circumstances.