Government releases new guidelines; No office Christmas parties and much more to look

The latest COVID-19 figures have been released by the Department of Health.

It has also released new guidance stating that no office Christmas parties are allowed to take place in the weeks ahead.

NPHET has also reported an additional Covid related death.

306 new cases of the virus have also been reported and confirmed. Six weeks ago, the authorities implemented a lockdown by hoping to see per day cases in between 50-100 before reopening.

This latest news comes as NPHET’s Philip Nolan has claimed that Ireland was set for 40 COVID-19 deaths per day had a Level 5 lockdown not been introduced.

Markets and business places will be live from today, as the retail sector was preparing for this day long back.

Hairdressers, gyms, cinemas and several other businesses will reopen from today. The hospitality sectors will have to hold themselves back until Friday before some form of normality returns.

Even though Level 5 restrictions are lifted, the country is still under Level 3, hospitality sectors don’t have much relaxations during level 3 also. Time limits will apply for gastro pubs and restaurants that cannot maintain a minimum distance of two metres between tables.

The new guideline and regulations don’t allow office Christmas parties too. Strict guidance is in place which says that all business-related gatherings and events should not take place during the Christmas period.

Other than this, the new guidance stated that offices and workplaces should also be instructed not to sponsor nights out in any way in the following weeks.