The Cabinet has signed off on plans to begin the first phase of the Government’s roadmap for easing coronavirus restrictions next week.
The first phase allows up to four people to meet outdoors, provided they follow social distancing guidelines.
Hardware and DIY stores are also due to open their doors along with construction sites.
Taoiseach says face coverings should be used on public transport and in shops from now on. https://t.co/9xFySYrei0
— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) May 15, 2020
Some public sports areas like tennis courts and golf courses have also been given the green light – but only for people who live within the 5km radius.
Small outdoor fitness classes will also be allowed. and some public beauty spots like beaches and mountain walks will reopen.
The Cabinet also agreed today that that it will now be mandatory for anyone entering the country to fill out a form indicating where they will self-isolate for two weeks.
Horse racing behind closed doors will be allowed to re-start from June the 8th.
However, homeware stores will not be permitted to open as planned, due to concerns over the potential for large crowds to gather at major retailers like Ikea.
The Government roadmap for easing restrictionsThe Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced the plan this afternoon.
“Today’s announcement gives us reason to hope but it is not cause for celebration,” he said.
“We have a long way to go yet, there will be bumps in the road and we have to keep our guard up.”
“He said he hopes to announce the second phase of easing in three weeks-time but warned that “to keep going forward we need to keep following these guidelines.”
“Everything is provisional and reversable and our progress depends on all of us continuing to do what we have been doing," he said.
“As restrictions ease and we come into contact with more people the opportunity for the virus to spread increases so personal responsibility will become more important not less.”
I can confirm that it is safe to proceed with Phase 1 of our plan to ease the COVID-19 restrictions on Monday. Here are the details. #IrelandPhase1 #Covid19 #InThisTogether pic.twitter.com/kSfujX5pd9
— Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) May 15, 2020
Mr Varadkar said everyone should continue to stay at home except for in these five situations:
- Go to work if tour workplace is open and you can’t work from home.
- To shop for items you need
- To exercise with 5km of your home
- For medical reasons or to care for others
- To meets friends or family outdoors in groups of no more than four
He also announced new guidelines on using face coverings when on public transport or in enclosed public areas.
“The coronavirus is an inferno that is raging around the world,” he said.
“In Ireland, it is now a fire in retreat but it is not defeated. We must extinguish every spark and quench every ember.
“We are all bound together in this great national effort and we much rely on each other if we are to succeed – which we will.”
Meanwhile, the Business Minister Heather Humphreys confirmed that the Health and Safety Authority would carry out inspections to ensure businesses are following COVID-19 guidelines.
“Their approach is to work with businesses collaboratively, offering advice and support and helping them to iron out any issues," she said. "They are also there to advise workers who have concerns.
“That said, if necessary, they also have the powers to take enforcement action, up to and including closing down a business.”
She also moved address confusion over the rules on hardware shops, which are allowed to open and homeware shops, which are not.
“If you have a hardware shop and you happen to have to have maybe a small homeware section, you are allowed to sell,” she said.
“But if you are a homeware shop and that is the main lifeblood of your business, you can’t open.”
Mr Varadkar said hardware shops have only been permitted to open to allow the construction industry to restart.
