The government have updated the Level 5 aspect of the Living With Covid-19 plan to take account of the changes made today.
The restrictions will begin at midnight on Wednesday October 21 and last until December 2 – however a review will be carried out after four weeks.
Under the Health Act, fines will be brought in in the form of fixed penalty charges for those who breach the 5km rule for non essential travel.
People can meet up outdoors with one other household away from their home while weddings are to stay at 25 guest until end of year.
The GAA inter-county championships, elite sports and horse racing can take place during the Level 5 restrictions.
Schools, childcare and universities are also to remain open.
Construction and manufacturing industries will remain open under the plan, while people will also only be able to exercise within five kilometres of their homes.
Many non-essential retail outlets and hairdressers will have to close, while a reduction in off-licence opening hours is also under consideration.
Bars and restaurants will be permitted to stay open by they can only offer a take away service.
Other essential workers can travel to work – everyone else must work from home.
Social bubbles will be created for those living alone – so that they are not left isolated.
See the updated Level 5 below:
LEVEL 5
At Level 5, the public health risk means that you will be asked to stay at home, except to exercise within 5 kilometres of your home. There will be no gatherings other than small numbers at funerals and weddings.
Social and family gatherings
In your home or garden
There should be no visits to homes or gardens. However, there will be the concept of an extended household (or support bubble) for defined categories of individuals to support those at risk of social isolation or mental ill-health.
Other settings outside your home or garden
There should be no visits to homes or gardens.
However, there will be the concept of an extended household (or support bubble) for defined categories of individuals to support those at risk of social isolation or mental ill-health.
Weddings
Up to 25 guests can attend a wedding ceremony and reception, irrespective of venue.
Organised indoor gatherings
These are controlled environments with a named event organiser, owner or manager.
For example: business, training events, conferences, events in theatres and cinemas or other arts events (excluding sport).
No organised indoor gatherings should take place.
Organised outdoor gatherings
These are controlled environments with a named event organiser, owner or manager. For example: outdoor Arts events, training events.
No organised outdoor gatherings should take place.
Exercise and sporting events
No training or matches should take place, with the following exceptions:
- non-contact training can continue for school aged children, outdoors in pods of 15
- professional, elite sports and inter-county Gaelic games, horse-racing and greyhound racing are permitted to continue behind closed doors
All other training activities should be individual only.
No exercise or dance classes are permitted.
Gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools
Gyms/leisure centres/swimming pools closed.
Religious services
Services will be held online.
Funerals
Up to 10 mourners can attend.
Museums, galleries and other cultural attractions
All venues closed. Online services available in libraries.
Bars, cafes and restaurants (including hotel restaurants and bars)
Take away food or delivery only.
Wet pubs
Take away or delivery only.
Nightclubs, discos, casinos
Nightclubs, discos and casinos will remain closed.
Hotels and accommodation
Hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs may remain open, but only to support provision of essential services.
Retail and services (for example: hairdressers, beauticians, barbers)
Essential retail only. All other retail and personal services closed.
Work
You should work from home unless you are providing an essential service for which your physical presence is required.
Domestic travel restrictions
Stay at home.
Exercise within 5 kilometres of home.
There will be a penalty for movement outside 5 kilometres of home, with the following exemptions:
- travel to and from work, where work involves providing an essential service
- to attend medical appointments and collect medicines and other health products
- for vital family reasons, such as providing care to children, elderly or vulnerable people, and in particular for those who live alone but excluding social family visits
- for farming purposes, that is food production or care of animals
- to visit a grave
Schools, creches and higher and adult education
In line with current NPHET advice in respect of Level 5, schools, early learning and childcare services will continue to remain open and are deemed essential.
Outdoor playgrounds, play areas and parks
Open with protective measures in place.
Transport
Face coverings must be worn.
Walk or cycle where possible.
Public transport will operate at 25% capacity for the purposes of allowing those providing essential services to get to work.
School transport is unaffected.
Over 70 and medically vulnerable individuals
Those aged over 70 and the medically vulnerable are advised to continue to exercise personal judgement.
It is recommended that they stay at home as much as possible, limit engagement to a very small network for short periods of time, while remaining physically distanced.
When taking exercise outdoors, it is important to maintain 2 metres distance from others and wash hands on returning home.
It is recommended to shop during designated hours only, while wearing a face covering, and to avoid public transport.
Visiting long-term residential care facilities (nursing and care homes)
Suspended, with the exception of visits required for critical and compassionate circumstances.
