As a part of Covid defense Ireland is moving to Level 3 restrictions across the country.
The restrictions will take effect from midnight today. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Michael Martin.
The recommendation of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPET) was to go to level five. It was decided that the restrictions imposed on Donegal and Dublin would apply to all other counties instead of level 5.
The Prime Minister said that the spread of the virus was due to the negligence of the people. The Prime Minister said the government was giving priority to opening schools, early learning centers and childcare services and reducing the number of workers.
The Prime Minister said that playgrounds and parks would be opened, many services would be made online and some businesses would have to close.
Third level controls are as follows:
One cannot leave their county except for work, education and other necessities.
Travel capacity on public transport has been reduced to 50%. Face mask is mandatory.
Only a maximum of 6 people from one household may visit another family.
Most office work should be done at home.
Visit to nursing and care home are also limited, one could use these in unavoidable circumstances only.
Special care will be taken of those who are 70 years of age and above and those who are in poor health. Physical distance should be maintained when interacting with people over 70 years of age. Stay at home as much as possible, and interventions should be limited to a very small network.
The number of people who can attend the wedding has been increased to 25. The same goes for funerals too.
Shrines can be opened for private prayer, and ceremonies should be made online.
No more than 15 people at a sports training or outdoor arts event. Horse racing can also continue.
No competitions or sporting events except professional / elite / inter-county / club championship events are allowed.
Gyms, leisure centers and swimming pools can only be opened for personal training with strict safety measures.
Museums, galleries and other cultural centers should be closed.
Couples living in one county can attend weddings happening in another county.
All indoor gatherings, such as business and training events, conferences, and art shows in theaters and cinemas, were banned.
Non-contact sports training is allowed on the pods of up to 15 people, strictly following safety precautions. Concessions are available for professional or elite athletes, inter-county sports, and senior club championship training.
Level 3 restrictions apply to pubs and restaurants from today midnight. All indoor dining in pubs and restaurants will be banned across the country.
Outdoor seating and service will be provided outside restaurants and wet pubs.
Nightclubs and casinos are not allowed to open.
Although shops, hairdressers and other services may be open, face masks are mandatory and other precautions must be taken.
Hotels, guest houses and B&B can be opened. But the services are only available to residents only.
Restrictions also applies to retail areas, shopping centers and spas.