Ireland Lockdown: ‘Tier 3 for two weeks before Tier 2 Christmas’ says Government with full list of rules

After confirming that the country will move to Level 3 after December 1, reports have emerged today giving hope for a Level 2 Christmas.

Ireland is expected to emerge from the Level 5 lockdown early next month with the Government focusing on our next steps.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin told the Dail that the goal was to return to Level Three, but reports suggest that the lockdown over Christmas could be even better than that.

Restrictions on travel and home visiting will be eased just before Christmas after government discussions, according to the Irish Independent this morning.

The Government is believed to plan to move to Level 3 restrictions for about two weeks before jumping to Level 2 after the fortnight if the numbers look good.

The leader of Fianna Fail said Wednesday night: “I said on the House record that I wanted to go back to Level Three, which was a target for December 1.

You can find a full list of Tier Three rules and restrictions according to the roadmap here.

But this is what a Level 2 at Christmas would mean for Ireland:

At level 2, most areas of the economy and society, for example: schools, restaurants, pubs and gyms, are open.

Sports activities can continue, but with a higher level of restriction.

To keep people safe, you will be asked to limit the number of people you meet at this level.

Social and family gatherings

In your home or garden

Depending on the health tips at the time, there are 3 options for visitors to your home.

Option 1: visitors from 2 or 3 other households (maximum 6) or from 1 other household only

Option 2: Visitors from 2 other households (maximum 6) or from 1 other household only

Option 3: a maximum of 6 visitors from another household only.

Other environments outside your home or garden

Members of different households may continue to meet socially in other settings.

A maximum of 6 people from 1 household other than yours can meet indoors and 15 people outdoors.

Wedding

Up to 50 people can attend a wedding ceremony and reception.

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).

Up to 50 clients are allowed and in groups or groups of up to 6 if applicable, with arrangements to ensure that the groups are not mixed.

Up to 100 clients are allowed for larger venues where strict 2 meter seated social distancing and one-way controls for entry and exit can be implemented.

For very large specially built event facilities (eg stadiums, auditoriums, conference or event centers) specific guides will be developed with the relevant sectors to take into account the size and different conditions for larger events.

Meetings organized outdoors

These are controlled environments with a designated event organizer, owner, or manager. For example: outdoor art events, training events.

Up to 100 clients are allowed in most locations.

Up to 200 users for outdoor stadiums or other fixed outdoor venues with a minimum credited capacity of 5,000 (with strong protection measures based on industry guidance).

For specially built very large event facilities (eg stadiums, auditoriums, conference or event centers) a specific guide will be developed with the relevant sectors to take into account the size and different conditions for larger events.

sports

Training

Outdoors: Training can take place in groups of up to 15 (exemption for professional / elite championships / inter-county sports / senior clubs).

Indoors: Training, exercise and dance classes can take place in groups of up to 6 indoors (exemption for professional / elite / inter-county sports / senior club championships)

Matches and events

• up to 100 customers / spectators outdoors and 50 customers / spectators indoors
• up to 200 for outdoor stadiums or other fixed outdoor venues with a minimum credited capacity of 5,000

For large purpose-built event facilities (such as stadiums, auditoriums, conference / event centers), a specific guide will be developed with the relevant sectors to take into account the size and different conditions for events such as large national and international sporting events.

Gyms, leisure centers and swimming pools

These can be opened with protective measures, taking into account public health advice, including social distancing.

Religious services

Open with protective measures (eg, appropriate social distancing, one-way traffic within the venue, removal of communal prayer items) for up to 50 worshipers.

Where the premises allow a capacity of more than 50, this may be allowed in separate subgroups of no more than 50, with additional protective measures as per the guidelines.

Funeral

Up to 50 mourners can attend.

Museums, galleries and other cultural attractions

Open with protective measures (for example, a maximum capacity to allow a distance of 2 meters, one-way traffic within the place).

The maximum numbers are linked to capacity, taking into account the public health councils.

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

Open with protective measures in place (for example: physical distancing, table service only, cleaning regimes, noise controls).

Maximum number of restaurants and cafeterias linked to establishment capacity, taking into account the public health councils, but with individual groups limited to 6 people from the same household.

You can view Fáilte Ireland’s guidance on pub reopening here.

You can view Fáilte Ireland’s guidance on reopening restaurants and cafes here.

Learn more about the Stay and Spend tax credit incentive.

Damp pubs

Open with strong protective measures in place (ex: physical distance, table service only, cleaning regimes, noise controls, etc.).

Maximum numbers linked to establishment capacity, taking into account public health advice, including adequate social distancing, but with individual groups limited to 6 people from the same household.

Nightclubs, discos and casinos

Nightclubs, discos and casinos will be closed.

Hotels and accommodation

Open with protective measures (ex: staff face coverings, signage, hand sanitizer, regular cleaning of hard surfaces, logged customer data for contact tracing process).

You can see the guidelines on hotel reopening here.

You can view the guidelines on reopening shelters here.

Retail and services (for example: hairdressers, beauticians, barbers)

Face covers must be worn.

Open with protective measures in place.

There is a specific guide available for:

Job

Work from home if possible.

If you can work from home, it is recommended that you only attend work for essential meetings, inductions, and on-site training.

National trips

No restrictions.

Schools, early education and child care services, adult and higher education

Open with protective measures in place.

Outdoor Playgrounds, Play Areas, and Parks

All remain open with protective measures in place.

Transport

You must wear a face cover if you use public transportation.

Walk or bike whenever possible.

Public transport capacity will be limited to 50%.

Peak hours only for essential workers and essential purposes.

Those over 70 and the medically vulnerable

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 provided.

Long-term residential care facilities (nursing homes and nursing homes)

Open with enhanced protection measures.

Follow HPSC instructions.