Christmas, but not as we know it
LOCKDOWN restrictions look set to be relaxed for Christmas, both the Taoiseach and Health Minister indicated this week.
The current Level 5 restrictions are come to an end by December 1 and as case numbers drop, we appear to be on a good trajectory if we can ‘stay the course’, say HSE officials.
However, there is little detail on specific measures that would allow people to celebrate Christmas with some semblance of normality, and no decision yet on what level we will move to once we exit Level 5.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said that while Christmas will not be the same this year, he is conscious that ‘people want a Christmas’.
Speaking with RTÉ News he said: ‘I do believe we can create a window of opportunity for December to enable people to have a good Christmas, albeit a different Christmas to what they might normally experience.’
He added that it was his view that the
‘Maybe a regional approach would be taken’
severe six-week restrictions were put in place to get numbers ‘very, very low’ to allow for ‘maximum flexibility for December and beyond and get a long stretch-out in terms of bringing back the economy, reopening society and enabling people to get back to work, particularly in areas like nonessential retail.’
On Thursday, Health Minister
Stephen Donnelly said that, after December 1: ‘It could be Level 3.
There is a possibility that it might be Level 2, or maybe a regional approach would be taken.’
Recommendations regarding December are expected to be revealed by NPHET a week before December 1. Mr Donnelly highlighted his concern for case numbers in Dublin, which have not dropped at the same rate as the rest of the country.
Issues like this will be examined when considering the reopening of the country, he said, while numbers in the North are also a concern at present.
In a best-case scenario of a Level 2 reopening, shops would be able to open back up, as would restaurants and pubs, but restricting your movements, social distancing and limiting the number of people you see is also expected. Beauticians and hairdressers can also reopen.
Gyms could reopen and sports activity can resume.
When it comes to visitors to your home or garden, you would have options under Level 2. For Christmas dinner, you could have visitors from two/ three other households h ld (maximum six) or from just one other household – the details will depend on health advice at the time. If you were meeting outdoors for a stroll in the park on Saint Stephen’s Day or a hike, a maximum of 15 people could meet.
In terms of Christmas drinks under a possible Level 2, pubs, hotel bars, cafes, ‘wet pubs’ and restaurants will be able to reopen ‘with protective measures in place (for example, physical distancing, table service only, cleaning regimes, noise controls).
Maximum numbers in restaurants and cafes would be linked to the capacity of establishment, but with individual group groups limited it d to t six i people lf from no more than three households.
Nightclubs, discos and casinos will not reopen.
If your wedding is scheduled over the Christmas period, you would be able to invite a maximum of 50 people to the wedding and ceremony.
If you were looking forward to a sporting event or match, Level 2 allows for 100 patrons at outdoor events and 50 indoors.
For a stadium that has capacity for 5,000 people, 200 spectators are permitted.
For those hoping to attend Christmas Day Mass or any
Testing would be available at airports
religious service during this period, up to 50 worshippers are permitted indoors with protective measures in place like appropriate social distancing, one-way traffic within the venue and removal of communal prayer items. Up to 50 mourners will be able to attend funeral service.
In terms of travelling home for Christmas, domestic travel restrictions would be lifted.
You will no longer be restricted to 5km but public transport would operate at 50% capacity, walking and cycling will be preferred and peak hours will be for essential
workers only.
For those looking to travel home from abroad for Christmas this year, Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan has said it is too early to issue guidance on this but said should testing of asymptomatic passengers be introduced, a five- to seven-day period of restricted movement, with a symptom check and test on day five, is the most efficient method to contain importation of the virus.
He also said that people who arrive in Ireland or who have returned from travel abroad should avoid crowded situations for a full 14 days.
He has concerns for countries that are ‘red and getting redder’ and that international travel could push up our cases up again.
Yesterday, Transport Minister Eamon Ryan said testing would be available at Irish airports from December 1 under the EU’s traffic light system to restart foreign travel. However, he said he did not want to give people ‘false hope’ that travel could resume immediately.
Yesterday the Government announced that all travellers from Denmark would have to restrict their movements for 14 days because of an outbreak linked to mink farms.