Government’s roadmap to ease Covid-19 restrictions will be set out in 5 phases. These phases will be on 3 week review process, the current phases would commence on the following dates:

Phase 1 – 18th May
Phase 2 – 8th June
Phase 3 – 29th June
Phase 4 – 20th July
Phase 5 – 10th August

If coronavirus cases begin to increase, we will revert to the restrictions set out in the previous stage.

• PHASE 1
• Phase 1 of the roadmap will lift the following restrictions:
• Construction workers, landscape gardeners and other outdoor workers may return to work
• Garden centers, repair shops and hardware stores may reopen
• Fitness & sport activities (non-contact) in small groups (max of 4 people) may resume (golf included)
• People may meet up with friends and family in small groups outdoors (size of a “small group” is defined as up to 4 people)
• The majority of regular health services will resume
• Outdoor public amenities and tourism sites may reopen (beaches & mountain walks)
  
  NOTE – social distancing guidelines will remain in operation for all

• PHASE 2
• Phase 2 of the roadmap will lift the following restrictions:
• Restriction will be extended from 5km to 20km
• Specific retail hours will be allocated for those currently cocooning
• Home visits will be allowed to those cocooning, by a small number of persons for a short period of time
• Up to 4 people may visit another household for a short period of time
• Slightly larger family gatherings at funerals will be permitted (limited to maximum safe social distancing can still be applied)
• Solitary workers and workers that can maintain social distancing can return to work
• Small retail outlets that can control staff and customer numbers and maintain social distancing may reopen
• Public libraries will reopen
• Outdoor sporting activities, involving small group training (no matches) can recommenced (no contact still allowed)

PHASE 3
Phase 3 of the roadmap will lift the following restrictions:

• Commence opening of crèches and pre-schools for children of essential workers
• Commence a phased approach to visiting at hospitals and other healthcare settings
• Businesses where employees have low levels of daily interaction may reopen
• Phase in the opening of all other non-essential retail outlets, restricting customer numbers and applying social distancing (limited to retail outlets with street level entrance and exit, i.e. not in shopping centres)
• Playgrounds will be reopened
• ‘Behind closed doors’ sporting events may recommence
• Cafes and restaurants may reopen as long as social distancing is maintained

PHASE 4
Phase 4 of the roadmap will lift the following restrictions:

• Travel will be extended to outside of your region
• Larger household visits will be permitted
• Small social gatherings will be permitted (baptisms, small weddings etc.)
• Crèches and pre-schools will reopen for all other children
• Other employees return to work – beginning with those who cannot work remotely and then staggering the working times to ensure social distancing
• Barbers and hairdressers may reopen
• Museums and other cultural outlets may reopen
• Sports teams (GAA & soccer) may recommence and public swimming pools may reopen
• Hotels and other hospitality units may reopen based on limited occupancy. Hotel bars are to remain closed.

• PHASE 5
• Phase 5 of the roadmap will lift the following restrictions:
• Social gatherings will be permitted except for large gathering and gatherings in households of suspect cases
• Schools and colleges will reopen on a phased basis and will recommence in the new academic year
• Normal hospital and other residential setting visits will be allowed
• All employees may return to work on normal onsite arrangements, except organizations that cannot maintain social distancing plans
• Enclosed shopping centres may reopen
• Tattoo and piercing parlors may reopen
• Cinemas may reopen
• Close contact physical sports may recommence (rugby, boxing etc.)
• Gyms and dance studios may reopen
• Mass sporting events may recommence where social distancing can be maintained
• Indoor recreational venues may reopen (bowling, bingo etc.)
• Small festivals and other outdoor cultural events may resume
• Tourist travel to offshore islands may resume