The Taoiseach Micheál Martin this evening praised the Irish people’s response to the draconian lockdown regulations as he announced a roadmap of changes which will ease the current situation over the coming weeks.
The Taoiseach told a live television and radio audience: “One month ago, we started the process of easing very difficult restrictions on all our lives. I stood here and explained our strategy and the rationale that underpinned it. I set out a path ahead which I believed was responsible and realistic. I asked you to continue to exercise caution and to trust the science.
“That evening I promised that the government would continue to review all of the evidence and that before the end of April we hoped to be able to continue the process of responsible reopening, and to give more clarity on the path ahead.
“The good news is that the strategy is working.”
While it was good news for many, there was still no good news on foreign travel – something that drew heated reaction from the airline industry.
Beginning next Tuesday, May 4, the easing on restrictions will commence. This will see
- construction sites nationwide reopening.
- Weddings will be allowed to have 50 people at the service from 10 May with 25 at a reception from June 7.
From May 10, the following will apply
- Increased numbers of people can meet outdoors for social/recreational purposes – including in private gardens… with a maximum of three households or six people from any number of households.
- organised outdoor gatherings with a maximum of 15 people in attendance
- sports training for adults in pods of a maximum of 15 people
- non-essential retail will have a phased reopening.
- Click-and-collect by appointment (all remaining retail to reopen from 17 May)
- reopening of personal services (hairdressers, barbers and beauty salons) by appointment
- reopening of galleries, museums, other cultural attractions
- libraries to reopen for lending services.
- Reintroduction of religious services
- funerals will be able to have up to 50 mourners at a service.
- Weddings will have 50 guests allowed but only six for celebration end of such a festivity indoor and 15 outdoor.
- inter-county travel can resume all across the country
- increase in numbers on public transport, up to 50% of normal capacity
May 17
- On this day all retail outlets can reopen
June 2 (subject to the public health situation at the time)
- Accommodation services (hotels, B&Bs, self-catering and hostels) can welcome guests again
June 7 (subject to the public health situation at the time)
- visitors allowed from one other household inside your home.
- Outdoor hospitality, including restaurants and all pubs, to resume with a max of six people per group.
- Weddings reception limit will rise at this stage to 25
- Gyms, swimming pools and leisure centres can reopen for individual training only.
PHOTO – RTE Screengrab
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