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Taoiseach Micheál Martin has confirmed that Ireland will move to Level 3 with ‘some modifications’ to the government’s Living with Covid plan as of December 1.
Until Dec. 18, people are asked to stay within their county and continue not to mix with other households, unless they are part of its support bubble.
As of December 1, up to six people from a maximum of two households can gather in outdoor spaces away from homes or gardens, maintaining strict social distancing measures.
After December 18, restrictions to allow out-of-county travel and home visits with people from two other households will be eased. These relaxed restrictions will remain in effect until January 6.
Retail stores can reopen starting Tuesday.
It will also allow the reopening of places of worship from December 1 with up to 50 people, in addition to museums, galleries and cinemas, with greater measures.
On December 4, restaurants, gastro-pubs and hotels may reopen for indoor dining, but ‘wet pubs’ that do not serve food will be required to remain closed, excluding delivery and takeaway services.
Mr. Martin ensured that wet bar owners will receive additional support to help them into the new year.
The face mask guide will also change, with the public being asked to wear face covers in outdoor settings beginning December 1, including workplaces, places of worship, and busy streets.
Weddings can continue with up to 25 guests, but guests cannot leave their own county to attend a wedding. Couples who are getting married outside their country can go ahead with their plans. Funerals can be attended by up to 25 mourners.
Other meetings organized indoors, with a designated event organizer, owner or manager, should not be held, but meetings organized outdoors can take place with a maximum of 15 people present.
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The executive director of the Licensed Vintners Association, Donall O’Keefe, has said that many pub owners will be disappointed with the updated measures, with no reopening date in sight for those who don’t serve food.
However, O’Keefe welcomed the Taoiseach’s assurance that business owners would be supported for the weeks and months to come.
Commenting on the announcement, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said the government had to “strike a balance” in deciding which areas of the economy to reopen, adding that they “made the right decision” by allowing families to meet during the Christmas period.
Ms. McDonald said she understood that some companies and hospitality workers would be disappointed with the new measures, but looked forward to learning the details of the supports that will be implemented to help affected companies.
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