Level three threat of return to behind closed doors

THE plan is based on five levels of response, with the severity of restrictions increasing from one to five. Ireland is currently judged to be at level two.

The prohibition on spectators attending games is lifted but has been capped at 50 for indoor arenas and at 200 for outdoor venues in stadia with a minimum of 5,000 capacity, and 100 at other venues. Because of added restrictions in Dublin, the 100 figure applies to all venues in the capital. Training will continue in pods of 15 outdoors and six indoors, with exemptions for professional and elite sportspeople, intercounty squads, and ‘senior club championship’ teams. Lower-level intermediate and junior clubs are not mentioned in the list of exempt teams who would still be allowed to train in the event of the risk level being upgraded, but is understood they are included.

The possibility of larger attendances being allowed under level two has not been ruled out for larger facilities and stadia where ‘specific guidance will be developed with the relevant sectors to take account of size and different conditions for larger events’.

In the event of a significant improvement in infection rates, which would see the country’s risk downgraded to level one, crowds of 100 will be allowed indoor arenas and 500 in outdoor venues with a minimum capacity of 5,000 and 200 elsewhere.

In the event of Ireland’s risk being upgraded to level three, all games involving exempted teams will be played behind closed doors. At level four, exempted teams will be allowed to train, but only on a ‘noncontact’ basis.

O Level five would mean a full shutdown of sport, with the exception of individual training.