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TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN announced today new Covid-19 restrictions, with different measures in effect on various dates.
The successive restrictions will take effect from December 24 and will last until at least January 12.
The government is introducing tighter restrictions earlier than planned after a spike in Covid-19 cases in recent days.
In a national address just three days before Christmas, the Taoiseach said the government had decided to confront the renewed threat of the virus “aggressively and head-on.”
He said Ireland will go back to Tier 5 restrictions, with some adjustments, and there will be some new restrictions before the New Year.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said that the new measures can last the first two months of 2021.
At level 5, there will be no gatherings of any kind other than small funerals (up to 10 mourners) and weddings (25 guests until January 2; up to six people starting January 3).
Hotels, guesthouses and B & Bs may remain open, but only for essential non-social and non-tourist purposes. An exception to this are guests who already have a reservation and must check in by December 26 inclusive.
Visits to long-term residential care facilities (such as nursing homes and nursing homes) are suspended, with the exception of visits required by critical and compassionate circumstances.
Public transportation will operate at 25% of its capacity in order to allow people who provide essential services to get to work; Face covers must be worn at all times.
In terms of sport and exercise, outdoor golf and tennis are allowed.
No training or games should be held, with the following exceptions:
- Non-contact training in groups of up to 15 people can take place outdoors.
- Professional, elite sports, horse racing and greyhound racing can continue behind closed doors.
Gyms, leisure centers and swimming pools may remain open for individual training only.
According to current NPHET advice regarding Tier 5, schools, early education and child care services will remain open and deemed essential.
Higher and adult education will continue to operate primarily online with exemptions for essential on-site activities.
Here is a breakdown of what is happening and when:
Good night
Restaurants and pubs serving food will close at 3:00 p.m. on December 24 until further notice. Hotels can serve food to non-guests until 3:00 p.m. on this date.
Hairdressers and barbers will also close on Christmas Eve.
St. Stephen’s Day
Worship will be back online on December 26.
December 27
Home visits will be reduced from two to one on December 27.
Inter-county travel will also be restricted as of December 27, although people who have already left their county can stay in another county until they return home.
Hotels can only provide food to guests from this date.
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January 1st
No home or garden visits will be allowed.
Retail outlets may remain open, but January sales are not allowed in an attempt to avoid large crowds.
January 3
The number of people who can attend a wedding will be reduced from 25 to just six as of January 3.
You can read the full list of restrictions here.
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