Staying safe this Christmas

Community 2 min read

14 Dec 2020

A focal part of Christmas for all of us is being able to spend time with family, friends and neighbours. However, as we all know, this year things will be a bit different. We want everyone to celebrate safely this festive season and it is important we continue to follow the public health guidelines.

Republic of Ireland

Ireland is at Level 3, with a number of exceptions in place for the Christmas period. From Friday, 18^th December to the 6^th January reduced restrictions will apply to allow for increased travel and household visits over the holiday period. Below are a few things you should know about the Christmas restrictions:
During this period, you can:

• Travel anywhere in Ireland

• Meet with people from up to 2 other households in your home or garden or in other places outdoors. Face coverings should be worn and social distancing maintained.

The public are being reminded that it's still important to stay safe and practise protective measures to try and stop the spread of COVID-19. Here are some tips to remember on how we can all continue to stay safe during Christmas

• Minimise in person contacts

• When spending time with friends and family this festive season, try to do so outdoors where possible

• Wear a face covering and wash hands regularly

• shop safely, avoid crowds indoors and outside

• If you feel unwell, don't risk it – stay home and contact your GP

• keep fresh air circulating in your home

Northern Ireland

Between Wednesday 23 December and Sunday 27 December, there will be some temporary relaxations on social mixing. This will allow people from up to three households to form a Christmas bubble and one of the three households can include an existing bubble arrangement.
The rules on a Christmas bubble are:
If you decide to form a Christmas bubble there are three main rules:

• you can only be in one Christmas bubble

• you cannot change your Christmas bubble

• your Christmas bubble should not include people from more than three households, and one of the three households can include an existing bubble arrangement

Some useful sources of information can be found at the below links:
ROI
https://www.gov.ie/en/
https://www.hse.ie/eng/
 
NI
https://www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk/
https://www.nhs.uk/