Back in Business

Community 3 min read

29 Jun 2020

The latest easing of restrictions on the island of Ireland begins this week. And with the country getting back to some sort of normal, it is important to remember some things are still off limits. But we know its hard to remember what you can and can’t do. So we’ve pulled together the new easing of restrictions coming into effect in Phase 3. As ever, following Public Health Guidelines is paramount to continuing to fight the Covid-19 pandemic. 

ROI

• Easing of stay local - From phase 3, you can travel anywhere in Ireland.

• Face coverings - Face coverings are recommended for public transport, retail outlets, and other places where it is difficult to maintain social distancing. Guidelines on the safe use of face coverings can be found here.

• Education and childcare – In relation to education and childcare, the following may reopen*:

• all adult education facilities

• creches, childminding facilities and pre-schools

• summer camps

• youth clubs

• all indoor and outdoor amenities for children

• Economic activity and work

*Anyone who can work from home should continue to work from home wherever possible.

• Businesses: In relation to businesses, the following may reopen:

• wellbeing services - for example: chiropractic, massage therapy, acupuncture, reflexology and homoeopathy

• hairdressers, barbers, nail and brow salons, beauty salons, spas, make-up application services, tanning, tattooing and piercing services

• driving schools

• all remaining retail (for example, bookmakers), services and commercial activities

• Driving tests as well as volunteer and other driving services may recommence.

*Compliance with work protocols and health guidance will be monitored by State agencies.

• Social

• Indoor gatherings: Indoor gatherings of up to 50 people when conducted in line with public health advice are permissible.

• Outdoor gatherings: Outdoor gatherings of up to 200 people when conducted in line with public health advice are permissible.

• Businesses that can reopen:

• cafés and restaurants providing on premises food and beverages

• pubs and hotel bars operating as restaurants

• hotels, hostels, caravan parks and holiday parks

• Cultural and religious:

• museums, galleries, theatres, concert halls and other cultural outlets

• cinemas, music venues (excluding nightclubs and discos), leisure facilities, bingo halls, arcades, skating rinks, amusements parks

• religious buildings and places of worship

• Sport may recommence, including:

• team leagues for adults and children

• close contact sports

• organised sporting spectator events and fixtures

• The following may reopen: indoor gyms and exercise facilities, yoga, pilates and dance studios, sports clubs and public swimming pools

• Transport and travel
  - Walk or cycle if possible.

• Public transport: social distancing means that overall capacity remains restricted. Use public transport only for essential journeys, face coverings should be worn, avoid peak-time travel.

• International travel
  all non-essential overseas travel should be avoided
  passengers arriving from overseas are expected to self-isolate for 14 days
  passengers will also have to complete a form showing where they will self-isolate

• Tourist travel to offshore islands may resume.

• Private transport: Tour, event and private bus use, and vehicle hire may recommence.

 
NI

• Resumption of contact sport training (29 June)

• Reopening of betting shops (3 July)

• Resumption of further close contact services including tattoo parlours, piercings and spas (6 July)

• Reopening of indoor gyms (10 July)

• Reopening of outdoor leisure playgrounds (10 July)

• Reopening of libraries (16 July)

• Competitive sports (17 July)

• Limited numbers of outdoor spectators permitted (17 July) with numbers increased at a later date (31 July)

• Reopening of seated venues including cinemas and bingo halls (29 July)

• Reopening of indoor sports courts and skating rinks (7 August)

• Reopening of arcades (29 July)

• Leisure centres and soft play areas (7 August)

• Socially distanced indoor spectators permitted (28 August)

• Open air museums (late August)

There will be further consideration of weddings and funerals and other gatherings early next week.
Following an update on the current virus transmission levels, the Executive has also confirmed the following relaxations to take effect over the coming weeks:

• Opening places of worship from Monday, 29 June;

• Indoor training for elite and grass roots athletes, 29 June;

• Holiday and tourism accommodation, including holiday apartments, homes, cottages, bungalows, caravan parks and campsites from tomorrow, 26 June;

• Travel to stay in a second home from tomorrow, 26 June;

• The re-opening of hotels, restaurants, bars, cafes and coffee shops from 3 July;

• The re-opening of visitor attractions from 3 July; and

• The re-opening of nail, hair, beauty, barbers, tanning salons, electrolysis and acupuncture from 6 July.

The Executive continued its consideration of social distancing requirements and have agreed that 2 metres remains the optimum distance to maintain physical distance where possible. However, the Executive has indicated that, where appropriate mitigations can be made, a distance of no less than 1 metre between individuals should be adhered to.