The FULL list: roadmap to Covid-19 re-openings

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has announced that the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions are to be extended until May 18.

However, from next Tuesday, the current 2km travel restriction will be extended to 5km, and people over 70 who are cocooning have been advised they should continue to do so, but can go outside if they avoid contact with other people.

In an address to the nation this evening, Mr Varadkar said that the last few weeks have transformed out lives in so many different ways.

He outlined a roadmap of five stages on how the country will attempt to return to ‘normality’.

The following is the full roadmap to recovery:

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Phase 1, May 18th

From May 18, outdoor workers will be able to return to work. Some retail outlets such as garden centres, hardware shops, farmers markets and repair shops (such as bicycle, motor), electrical, IT and phone sales will reopen. Some sporting activities in small groups will be permitted. Small groups of up to four people (not of the same household) will be permitted to meet outdoors while maintaining social distancing.

Restrictions of ten people at funerals will remain in place.

Outdoor amenities and tourism sites such as beaches, carparks and mountain walks can be reopened. Small outdoor sports amenities can re-open, e.g. pitches, tennis courts, golf courses, where social distancing can be maintained.

Phase 2, June 8th

Restrictions on travel to be extended to 20km from your home. Continue to avoid unnecessary journeys. Designate specific retail hours across all retailers for the over 70s and medically vulnerable, with strict social distancing, gloves and face masks.

Visits to homes of over 70s and medically vulnerable for small number of people, for short period of time, wearing masks etc.

Up to four people may visit another household for a short period of time.

Slightly larger number of people in attendance at funerals, but still restricted to immediate family and close friends.

Permitted phased return of workers who can maintain 2m social distance constantly. Maintain remote working for businesses that can do so.

Small retail outlets with small number of staff can re-open. Marts where social distancing can be maintained will reopen.

Open public libraries with numbers limited and permit people to engage in outdoor sporting and fitness activities in small group training (but not matches)

Phase 3, June 29th

Opening of crèches, childminders and pre-schools for children of essential workers in phased manner with social distancing and other requirements applying.

Phased approach to visiting at hospitals, healthcare centres/prisons etc.

With a risk-based approach, organisations where employees have low levels of daily interaction and social distancing can be maintained, can open.

Phased opening of non-essential retail, with restrictions on numbers of staff and customers per square metre. This will be limited to retail outlets with street-level entrance and exit, i.e. which are not in shopping centres.

Re-open playgrounds and permit ‘behind closed doors’ sporting activities.

Open cafes, restaurants where they can comply with social distancing.

Phase 4, July 20th

Extend travel restrictions to outside your region. Slightly larger numbers can visit households for a short period of time. Small social gatherings by family and close friends with a maximum number (such as weddings and baptisms).

Small social (non-family) gatherings limited to a maximum number of people for a limited time period.

Opening of crèches, childminders and pre-schools to all other workers on a phased basis (e.g. one day per week) and slowly increasing thereafter.

Organisations where employees cannot remote work to be considered first for return to onsite working. Staggered shifts should be operated.

Commence loosening restrictions on higher risk services involving direct contact, e.g. barbers, hairdressers.

Open museums, galleries, religious places of workshop.

Permit sports team leagues (e.g. soccer and GAA), but only where limitations and placed on number of spectators and social distancing can be maintained.

Open public swimming pools.

Open hotels, hostels, caravan parks for social and tourist activities with limited occupancy increasing over time. Hotel bars remain closed.

Phase 5, August 10th

Commence opening of schools and colleges on a phased basis at the beginning of the 2020/21 academic year.

Return to normal visiting for hospitals, care homes, prisons etc.

Phased return (risk-based) to onsite working. ‘Higher risk’ organisations which by their nature cannot easily maintain social distancing will implement plans for how they can eventually progress towards onsite return for full staff complement.

Opening of enclosed shopping centres where social distancing can be maintained. Further loosening of services such as tattoo and piercing.

Open theatres and cinemas where social distancing can be maintained.

Permit close physical contact sports (rugby, boxing, wrestling); open gyms, exercise studios where regular cleaning can be carried out and social distancing maintained.

Permit sports spectatorship which involve mass gatherings with limits on indoor and outdoor numbers and social distancing.

Roller skating, bowling alley, bingo halls can reopen with limited numbers.

Pubs, bars, nightclubs, casinos where social distancing and strict cleaning can be complied with.

Festivals, events, social and cultural mass gatherings will be permitted where there are limits on numbers and social distancing is maintained.

Resume tourist travel to offshore islands by non-residents.