Ireland's Covid Road Map Curtailed

Ireland's Covid strategy has been curtailed by the government following increasing numbers of cases. So far 1,390 Covid cases have been announced in August 2020, this is more than June (418) and July (635) combined. The new public health measures will last until the 13th of September 2020. The government is advising remote working where possible, limiting visitors to your home to 6 people, gathering should be limited to 15 people and to avoid public transport were possible. Closing times for pubs and restaurants remains at 11:30 and all sporting events will be behind close doors.

An Taoiseach, Micheal Martin, said today:

We can’t go back. If we falter now, every sacrifice we have made to date will be for nought. We have to accept that we have to recommit ourselves to accepting the reality of the continued threat of the virus. Now, as much as ever before, we must remember our responsibilities to each other.

Opposition Spokesperson for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, David Cullinane TD, Sinn Fein said on the new roadmap:

Over the last number of weeks, we have heard great plans to tackle Covid from government, but very little action. Colour-coded systems, travel red lists, testing at airports, and guidance on foreign travel have all been announced but what action has been taken? We must be guided by the public health advice, but we also have to recognise the government's failure to take appropriate action in a timely manner.

A roadmap for Resiliance and Recovery will be published before the 13th of September.

It is advised that:

  • all businesses should continue to facilitate remote working where possible.

  • all visits to homes will be limited to 6 people from outside the home and from no more than three households both indoors and outdoors

  • other gatherings will be limited to 15 people

  • restaurants and cafes, including pubs operating as restaurants, can remain open but with mandatory restrictions on closing times of 11.30 pm

  • sport events and matches will revert to “behind closed doors” with strict avoidance of social gatherings before and after events

  • indoor and outdoor training should follow the 6 indoor and 15 outdoor guidance

  • public transport should be avoided where possible

  • in the context of private transport, the wearing of face masks is advised where households are mixed.

  • all state bodies with responsibility for monitoring, inspection and compliance will intensify activities on an integrated basis

  • fresh advice will be issued to people over 70 or who are medically vulnerable to limit their interactions to a very small network for short periods, to avoid public transport where possible and to shop during designated hours.

For those over 70 or who are extremely medically vulnerable, it is asked that you use your individual judgement to:

  • keep the number of people you meet as low as possible. When you do meet people - it should be at a distance of 2 metres and for as short a time as possible

  • avoid public transport where possible

  • shop during designated hours (special times that shops have set up for those who are over 70 or medically vulnerable to safely do their shopping)