Construction and outdoor works resume across Ireland

The cautious and gradual phased reopening over May and June favours open-air activity

From today, 4 May, all construction across Ireland is allowed to recommence and workers who perform their duties outdoors (not only in construction but also window cleaning, maintenance work, etc.) can return to work. This is another phase in the gradual reopening of the country that the government is moving ahead with under its Recovery and Resilience: The Path Ahead plan.

Emphasis on outdoor activity

According to the government press office, the step-by-step easing of Level 5 restrictions is now possible because of the marked drop in the coronavirus community transmission due to the National Vaccination Programme’s headway and “the extraordinary efforts of the Irish people” in observing the restrictions in place.

The government has acted upon the recommendation of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), that a cautious and gradual phased reopening over May and June, which prioritizes outdoor activity and a moderate increase in social contact, can be deemed low to medium risk. Sufficient time should be provided between any easing of measures to assess the impact.  

What comes next in Ireland

From 10 May

• Maximum of 3 households or 6 people from any number of households can meet outdoors for social/recreational purposes, including in private gardens. Children aged 12 or younger are not included in this limit.  
• Outdoor gatherings can be organised with attendance capped at 15 people.
• Outdoor training for adults can take place in pods of up to 15 people.
• Non-essential shops can reopen outdoor spaces. The rest can perform click and collect and in-store by appointment only, with full scope of services greenlighted from 17 May.
• Personal services can reopen by appointment
• Galleries, museums and other cultural attractions can reopen.
• Libraries can reopen for lending services only.
• In-person religious services can recommence but should not coincide with other religious ceremonies such as Communions and Confirmations.
• Funerals are capped at 50 mourners each, with no related events permitted before or after a service.
• Wedding service to have a limit of 50 guests. Associated  celebrations/receptions are capped at 6 people indoors and 15 people outdoors.
• Inter-county travel can resume. People can travel to their own stationary mobile home or caravan.
• Public transport can operate at up to 50 percent of normal capacity.
• Property viewings can recommence by appointment only with licensed Property Service Providers.
• Vaccine bonus for private home visits. Fully vaccinated people can meet indoors with other fully vaccinated persons (no more than 3 households staying together) or with unvaccinated healthy people from a single household. No masks or social distancing is required.

From 2 June (subject to pandemic situation)

Accommodation establishments including hotels, B&Bs, self-catering and hostels can reopen. Only overnight guests/residents will have access to leisure facilities, indoor restaurant and bar services.

From 7 June

• Outdoor sports matches can recommence with no spectators permitted.
• Only individuals can train at gyms, swimming pools and leisure centres.
• Outdoor services in restaurants and bars can recommence, with a maximum of 6 people sitting at a table.
• Wedding celebrations/receptions can have up to 25 guests.
• Members of one other household are permitted during indoor private home visits.
• At the end of June the government will decide on the possible reopening later in the year of higher-risk activities including indoor hospitality, indoor team/group sports, mass gatherings and events with spectators, and international travel.