The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) has recommended that the entire country moves to Level 5 for a period of six weeks.
A number of Government sources have confirmed details of the recommendations to RTÉ News.
The advice, contained in a letter sent to Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly last night, is due to be discussed at a meeting between Government officials and Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan this morning.
There are currently no plans for a Cabinet meeting today and the Taoiseach is not due back from an EU Council meeting until later today.
However, ministers expect the issue to be decided in the coming days in order to avoid a period of uncertainty.
It is understood the letter does not recommend the closure of schools.
Government sources believe consideration could be given to some tweaks to Level 5 which says people should not travel any further than 5km from their homes.
At Level 5, the public health risk means that you will be asked to stay at home, except to exercise within 5 kilometres of your home. There will be no gatherings other than small numbers at funerals and weddings.
🏠Social and family gatherings
In your home or garden
Own household only – no visitors.
Other settings outside your home or garden
No social or family gatherings should take place in other settings.
👰🤵 Weddings
Up to 6 guests can attend a wedding ceremony and reception.
👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 Organised indoor gatherings
These are controlled environments with a named event organiser, owner or manager.
For example: business, training events, conferences, events in theatres and cinemas or other arts events (excluding sport).
No organised indoor gatherings should take place.
👨‍👩‍👦‍👦 Organised outdoor gatherings
These are controlled environments with a named event organiser, owner or manager. For example: outdoor Arts events, training events.
No organised outdoor gatherings should take place.
⚽️ Exercise and sporting events
🙅‍♂️ Training
Individual training only. No exercise or dance classes.
🛑 Matches and events
No matches or events to take place.
🏋️‍♀️🏊‍♂️ Gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools
Gyms/leisure centres/swimming pools closed.
🙏🏻 Religious services
Services will be held online.
Places of worship remain open for private prayer.
🙏🏻 Funerals
Up to 10 mourners can attend.
🎠Museums, galleries and other cultural attractions
All venues closed.
Online services available.
🍝 Bars, cafes and restaurants (including hotel restaurants and bars)
Take away food or delivery only.
🍺 Wet pubs
Take away or delivery only.
Nightclubs, discos, casinos
Nightclubs, discos and casinos will remain closed.
🙅‍♂️ Hotels and accommodation
Open only for those with essential non-social and non-tourist purposes.
🙅‍♂️Retail and services (for example: hairdressers, beauticians, barbers)
Essential retail only. All other retail and personal services closed.
🧑🏼‍💻 Work
Work from home unless it is for working in health, social care or other essential service and cannot be done from home.
🙅‍♂️Domestic travel restrictions
Stay at home.
Exercise within 5 kilometres of home.
👩‍🏫 Schools, creches and higher and adult education
Recommendations based on situation and evidence at time.
🙅‍♂️Outdoor playgrounds, play areas and parks
Open with protective measures in place.
🚴🚶Transport
Walk or cycle where possible.
Public transport capacity will be restricted to 25%.
Avoid public transport – essential workers and essential purposes only.
🙅‍♂️Over 70 and medically vulnerable individuals
Those aged over 70 years and over and the medically vulnerable should exercise judgement regarding the extent to which they engage with others and in activities outside home. Specific guidance will be issued.
🙅‍♂️Visiting long-term residential care facilities (nursing and care homes)
Suspended, aside from critical and compassionate circumstances.
References:
https://www.rte.ie/news/coronavirus/2020/1016/1171882-coronavirus-ireland/
