Q&A: What Covid-19 restrictions are easing today?

Last week the Government announced its new plan – Reframing the Challenge, Continuing Our Recovery and Reconnecting – that will see the vast majority of public health restrictions lifted across September and October.

Monday, September 6th, is a key date on the recovery calendar. So what is changing?

Organised indoor events

From Monday, vaccination or immunity status will have a key influence on the numbers allowed indoors in venues such as cinemas and theatres. Capacity will be capped at 60 per cent where all audience members show proof of immunity.

Adults must be either fully vaccinated or have recovered from the virus in the last six months to qualify, while unvaccinated people under the age of 18 must be accompanied. Where there is a mix of vaccinated and unvaccinated patrons, auditoriums must continue to adhere to a 50-person limit.

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The guidance is the same for other organised indoor events and “mass gatherings”, such as conferences, trade fairs, exhibitions and bingo sessions.

When it comes to live music, drama, live entertainment and sporting events, audience members should be seated.

Religious ceremonies

All religious services can be held at half-capacity, regardless of the vaccination or immunity status of participants.

Until now 50 mourners could attend funerals, while the same number could attend regular religious services, although this could be increased where a place of worship was large enough. It was advised that First Communions and Confirmations should not take place but this restriction is now lifted.

Organised outdoor events

Large gatherings and other events held outdoors can go ahead with 75 per cent of the venue’s capacity where all attendees are vaccinated, immune or accompanied minors. Where there is a mix of vaccinated and unvaccinated participants, sites must not exceed 50 per cent capacity.

Weddings

There is no change to the maximum number of wedding guests permitted, as the limit for indoor functions was increased to 100 a month ago. From Monday, however, live music and other performances are permitted at outdoor wedding receptions.

Coach tours

While public transport has been able to return to 100 per cent capacity since last week, there is a separate rule for private tour operators. From Monday coaches can fill 50 per cent of their seats.

What about colleges?

Universities have taken diverging approaches to the return to campus, with University College Dublin planning to resume large lectures of up to 500 students with safety measures imposed such as mandatory mask-wearing.

Trinity College Dublin will continue to hold large lectures online. For seminars of between 50 and 150 students, individual schools within the college have the discretion to choose between in-person or online teaching.

Dublin City University is planning to deliver face-to-face teaching for most modules, with classrooms operating at 80 per cent or greater capacity. The University of Limerick and Maynooth University are planning to resume some lectures at or near normal capacity levels, with limits of between 200 and 300 students for large lectures.

What’s the next date to look out for?

Monday, September 20th, will see a return to offices and other workplaces on a phased basis.

From this date, indoor group activities, including dance, drama and sports, can resume with up to 100 people provided everyone involved has immunity. In mixed immunity groups, activities should be conducted in pods of six.

Restrictions for participants of outdoor group activities will fall away completely.

And after that?

October will see the majority of restrictions lifted and replaced by “guidance and advice”. Specifically from October 22nd, the following will be brought to an end:

• Requirements for physical distancing;
• Outdoor mask wearing;
• Private indoor mask wearing;
• Limits on numbers attending indoor and outdoor events;
• Restrictions on religious and civil ceremonies;
• Limits on numbers that can meet in private homes and gardens;
• The production of vaccine certification and testing in order to participate in events, with the exception of international travel;
• Restrictions on "high-risk activities" including nightclubs.

Self-isolation when people have Covid-19 symptoms as well as mask-wearing in healthcare settings, indoor retail and public transport will still be required on an ongoing basis.