COVID-19 restrictions are beginning to ease
Some COVID-19 restrictions have been eased from today, as Ireland begins it's slow and cautious reopening.
As of today, the following eased restrictions now apply:
- The 5km travel limit has been extended to your entire county or 20km from your home if you're crossing county boundaries.
- A person can meet up with another person outdoors - but not in a private garden.
- 1st to 4th years return to school - meaning all students are back in the classroom.
- Construction of homes and childcare facilities can resume.
It's the first phase of the reopening of the country, with the Acting Chief Medical Officer saying there is more reasons for hope in the weeks ahead.
"This is the lowest number of daily cases reported since mid December," says Dr Ronan Glynn, after 303 cases were confirmed yesterday.
"People’s efforts continue to make a real difference; by keeping our social contacts low we are making it much harder for COVID-19 to spread," he added.
Dr Glynn also highlighted the number of new admissions into hospitals yesterday was the lowest since November.
More eased restrictions later this month
Providing the COVID-19 vaccine rollout goes to plan and case/hospital numbers remain low, there's hope more restrictions can be eased later this month.
From April 19th the following will apply:
- Training for and playing of National Governing Body sanctioned and organised adult intercounty GAA.
- High performing athletes, as approved by Sport Ireland, can resume.
With hopes more will be eased from April 26th, such as:
- Outdoor sports including golf and tennis.
- Outdoor visitor attractions such as zoos and heritage parks, but NOT including amusement parks.
- Underage non-contact outdoor training in pods of 15 or fewer can restart
- Maximum attendance at funerals will increase to 25
With more hoped for May:
- Full reopening of construction
- Phased return of non-essential retail commencing with click and collect and outdoor retail.
- Recommencement of personal services (hairdressers etc) on a staggered basis
- Reopening of museums, galleries and libraries
- Recommencement of religious services on a staggered basis
The Taoiseach has committed to having over 80 percent of adults getting one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by the end of June.
