Offices may re-open May 18th. I would expect licensing bodies to make an announcement very soon.
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 centres, 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 creches 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.)
Creches 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 organisations 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