The cabinet had signed the plan to ease Covid 19 restrictions in the country and Taoisech Michael Martin had officially announced that the restrictions will be lifted from May 10. The ban on intercounty travel, outdoor meetings, personal services etc will be lifter and more freedom will be provided to vaccinated people.
The lift on restrictions will happen in two phases which will be;
Phase 1 – May 10th
*Travel: Intercounty travel will resume.
*Gatherings: Three households or six will be able to meet outdoors in private gardens.
*Vaccine bonus: Fully vaccinated people can meet indoors without masks or social distancing with other fully vaccinated people with no more than three households present, or with unvaccinated people from a single household who are not at risk of severe illness.
*Organised gatherings: Outdoor gatherings can take place with a maximum of 15 people.
*Sports: Outdoor training for adults can take place in pods of a maximum of 15 people.
*Retail: Non-essential retail click-and-collect services can resume, along with outdoor retail.
*Personal services: Personal services such as hairdressers can reopen by appointment.
*Attractions: Galleries, museums, other cultural attractions and libraries (lending services only) can reopen.
*Religious services: In-person religious services can resume, although no communions or confirmations should take place.
Phase 2 – June 2nd
*Hospitality: Hotels, B&Bs, guesthouses and self-catering accommodation can reopen for guests.
Phase 2 – June 7th
*Hospitality: Outdoor services in bars and restaurants can recommence, with sector specific safety measures in place.
*Sports: Outdoor sports matches can recommence, but with no spectators at this time.
*Sports: Gyms, swimming pools, and leisure centres can reopen for individual training.
*Weddings: The number of guests attending wedding receptions can increase to 25.
*Gatherings: Indoor visits in private homes from one other household can begin again.
The phase 2 will only be put into consideration only if phase 1 is stable in the country. Taoisech is very optimistic as he feels that Ireland is returning to a degree of normality.