Phase one of the Irish government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business to ease the COVID-19 restrictions and reopen Ireland’s economy and society comes into effect today (May 18).
This will:
- allow outdoor meetings between people from different households
- open up childcare for healthcare workers
- see a phased return of outdoor workers
- open retailers which are primarily outdoor or those which were open during first level of restriction (e.g. opticians)
- open certain outdoor public amenities
Phase 2 (8 June)
- allow visits to households
- develop plans and supports to open up business with consideration for safety of staff and customers
- open small retail outlets and marts where social distancing can be observed
- open public libraries
Phase 3 (29 June)
- allow small social gatherings
- opening of crèches, childminders and pre-schools for children of essential workers in phased manner
- return to work for those with low levels of interaction
- open non-essential retail outlets with street level entrance and exit
- open playgrounds
Phase 4 (20 July)
- opening of crèches, childminders and pre-schools for children of all other workers on a gradually increasing basis
- return to work for those who cannot work from home
- gradual easing of restrictions for higher risk services (e.g. Hairdressers)
- opening of museums, galleries, places of worship
Phase 5 (10 August)
- allow larger social gatherings
- return to work across all sectors
- on a phased basis, commencing at the beginning of the academic year 2020/2021, opening of primary and secondary schools and 3rd level institutions
- further easing of restrictions on high risk retail services
- The Roadmap also sets out a framework for future decision making, which will at all times be underpinned by public health advice.
The government will regularly assess the following criteria as we seek to keep the level of transmission low while gradually restarting our economy:
- the latest data regarding the progression of the disease
- the capacity of the health service
- the capacity of the testing and tracing system
- the measures in place to protect vulnerable groups
- an assessment of the impact of excess morbidity and mortality as a consequence of the restrictions
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