The entire country of Ireland is to be moved from Level 3 (or 4 if border counties) to Level 5 of the ‘Living With Covid’ plan. Level 5 is the highest and most serious level and has the strictest measures implemented.
The Level 5 restrictions are as follows:
- People are asked to STAY AT HOME except to exercise within five kilometers from their home
- People must work from home unless it is necessary to attend in person (essential workers eg doctors, nurses and retail assistants)
- No visitors are allowed to your house
- No organised events are to take place
- No indoors and outdoor gatherings are permitted, other than attending funerals (10 mourners) or weddings which is limited to six guests
- Only essential retail are to remain open
- Cafes, restaurants and bars/wet pubs are only to offer a takeaway or delivery service
- Hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs are open for essential purposes only
- Public transport is limited to 25% capacity. It is reccomended to avoid public transport and to cycle or walk if possible
- Schools, creches and universities will remain open however further reccomendations will be made based on cases numbers in an area
- Visiting to care houses has been suspended
- Face coverings must be worn on public transport and in shops
These restrictions will come into effect from midnight Wednesday (00:00 on October 22nd) and will remain in place for a minimum of six weeks but will be reviewed after four weeks.
The measures that are to be implemented have come at the behest of NPHET who have expressed concern at rising case numbers in recent weeks and have subsequently offered recommendations to the Government for implementation.
Today, October 19th, there were no new deaths but 1,031 cases of the deadly virus, a sixth day in a row over the 1,000 mark.
