From visiting a grave to moving house, we answer your lockdown questions
GOING to daily mass is out under the new Level 5 restrictions, but travelling to permitted children’s sports training is allowed.
The rules are fairly straightforward, but where more complex questions arise it can be hard to know how the rules are applied.
We asked our readers to submit their questions and then asked government departments for clarity.
Q: Can my kids play in the street with their friends?
A: It is possible to meet with one other household in an outdoor setting that is not a home or garden, such as a park, including for exercise. However, no other social or family gatherings should take place, so that would rule out gangs of children congregating outside to play.
Q: Can you have a childminder into your home to look after kids if both parents are essential workers?
A: Yes, this is allowed.
Q: One reason I am allowed to travel further than 5km is to visit a grave. Does it have to be the grave of someone I know? How would I prove this? Can I travel any distance to visit a grave?
A: The Government concession is based on people acting in good faith. The intention is to ensure that family members can visit the local graveyard where close family are buried. It is to avoid family members who regularly visit the graves of loved ones falling foul of the 5km rule and to acknowledge the importance of this for some people’s well-being.
Q: Can I travel via public transport from Cork to Mayo if it means my daughter can see her dad? That would be our bubble: we share parenting.
A: A support bubble can be formed if you share parenting or custody arrangements, and also if you are living alone with children under the age of 18. Public transport use should be fine in this instance as it is essential travel.
Q: Construction stays open. Does that include tradesmen doing small home improvements like fitting furniture, flooring, etc?
A: Tradesmen will continue to operate during Level 5 restrictions. It allows “the supply and delivery of maintenance and repair services to businesses and places of residence (including electrical, gas, plumbing, glazing and roofing services).” Householders are expected to hold off on non-essential jobs.
Q: Can a coach or child attend GAA training in pods of 15 if they have to travel more than 5km from their house to attend?
A: You are allowed to take school-aged children to permitted training even it if is outside 5km. Non-contact training can continue for school children outdoors in pods of 15. Coaches should be able to travel too.
Q: Can children travel to their normal soccer training sessions which are based over 5km and in a different county?
A: Yes.
Q: Do NCT centres remain open? Can I travel further than 5km for my NCT appointment?
A: The NCT service is deemed an essential service and customers travelling for existing scheduled appointments are exempt from the travel restrictions.
Q: Can people travel over 5km to get to church for private prayer?
A: If your usual or the nearest church is more than 5km away, you may travel.
Q: I’m moving house in two weeks. Can I go there and back to install appliances and get internet and electricity running?
A: Moving house where, in all the circumstances of the case, such movement is reasonably necessary is permitted.