There are 5 phases in the Roadmap to ease restrictions. Each phase consists of a menu of options which will be considered by government as it gradually opens up economic and social activities.
These are just predictions at this stage and will depend on the medical advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team at the time in question.
Examples of the types of actions which will be considered under the various phases include:
Phase 1 (18 May)
- allow outdoor meetings between a maximum of 4 people from different households while maintaining social distancing (keeping at least 2 metres away from each other)
- open up childcare for healthcare workers
- phased return of outdoor workers (for example: construction workers and gardeners)
- open retailers which are primarily outdoor or those which were open during the first level of restriction (for example opticians)
- opening of certain outdoor public amenities (for example carparks, beaches, mountain walks where people can move around without coming into contact with each other and they keep at least 2 metres away from each other)
- Open outdoor public sports amenities (for example pitches, tennis courts, golf courses) where social distancing can be maintained
Phase 2 (8 June)
- allow visits to households (visits to those who are cocooning can occur if all parties wear facemasks, gloves and maintain a distance of at least 2 metres away from each other)
- develop plans and supports to open up business with consideration for the safety of staff and customers
- open small retail outlets and marts where social distancing can be observed
- open public libraries
Phase 3 (29 June)
- allow small social gatherings
- opening of crèches, childminders, and pre-schools for children of essential workers in phased manner
- return to work for those with low levels of interaction
- open non-essential retail outlets with street-level entrance and exit
- open playgrounds
- allow “behind closed doors” sporting activities events where arrangements are in place to enable participants to maintain social distancing
Phase 4 (20 July)
- opening of crèches, childminders, and pre-schools for children of all other workers on a gradually increasing basis
- return to work for those who cannot work from home
- the gradual easing of restrictions for higher risk services (for example hairdressers)
- opening of museums, galleries, places of worship
- allow sports team leagues (for example soccer and GAA) but only where limitations are placed on the numbers of spectators and where social distancing can be maintained
Phase 5 (10 August)
- allow larger social gatherings
- return to work across all sectors
- on a phased basis, commencing at the beginning of the academic year 2020/2021, the opening of primary and secondary schools and 3rd level institutions
- further easing of restrictions on high-risk retail services
For updated and factual Public Health information and advice on COVID-19 Coronavirus, please visit hse.ie/coronavirus or call 1800 700 700
For the latest information on the Covid-19 Vaccine Programme, please visit hse.ie/covid-19-vaccine
