Easing restrictions: all you need to know about tonights annoucement

An Taoiseach Micheál Martin has just made the official announcement for the easing of Irelands level 5 restrictions, stating that the current strategy is “working thanks to the hard work and scarifies of the public”.

The country has now been in level 5 lockdown for almost 5 months, which is longer than any other country worldwide. Martin mentioned that over 1.5 million vaccines have now been administered, and the rollout of these vaccines remains the top priority, adding that “the list of options available to us continues to grow”.

The announcement saw the planned reopening of pubs and restaurants with outdoor tables in June, while hairdressers and barbers can open as early as May 10.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of key dates:

From 10 May:

• Barbers, hairdressers and beauty salons can open for customers by appointment only

• People can now travel between counties

• More people can now meet outdoors, including private gardens: a max of 3 households or 6 people from any one household, excluding their children ages 12 or under

• Click and collect services for all non-essential retail can recommence

• Libraries, galleries and museums can reopen

• Up to 50 people can attend weddings & funerals

• Only fully vaccinated people can meet indoors with other fully vaccinated people provided there is three or less households present

• Vaccinated people can meet with unvaccinated people indoors from a single household, once they are not at risk of a severe illness, with no more than three households present

From 17 May:

• All non-essential retail can reopen fully from this date

June 2:

• Hotels, self-catering, B&Bs and hostels can reopen from June 2

June 7: (subject to conditions)

• Bars and restaurants can operate outdoors, with up to 6 people allowed per table a

• Outdoor sports games are allowed to commence (without spectators)

• Swimming pools, gyms and leisure centres can reopen for individual training only

• The number of household visits indoors has been increased to two households

There will be further announcements later in the year for easing of restrictions in ‘higher-risk’ settings, such as indoor hospitality, mass gatherings and International travel.

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