Government Contemplate Steps For A Return To Business & Employment

Hereunder, can be seen the 5 steps and their possible implementation dates being contemplated by our Irish caretaker government in relation to the current COVID-19 virus pandemic. Same steps are expected to be introduced in an effort to return Ireland to some sort of reasonable normality, as the COVID-19 virus curve flattens.

Phase 1 (May 18th, 2020)

1. Allow outdoor meetings between people from different households.
2. Open up childcare for healthcare workers.
3. Phased return of outdoor workers.
4. Open retailers which are primarily outdoor or those which were open during first level of restriction (e.g. opticians).
5. Opening of certain outdoor public amenities.

Phase 2 (June 8th, 2020)

1. Allow visits to households.
2. Develop plans and supports to open up business with consideration for safety of staff and customers.
3. Open small retail outlets and marts where social distancing can be observed.
4. Open public libraries.

Phase 3 (June 29th, 2020)

1. Allow small social gatherings.
2. Opening of crèches, childminders and pre-schools for children of essential workers in phased manner.
3. Return to work for those with low levels of interaction.
4. Open non-essential retail outlets with street level entrance and exit.
5. Open playgrounds.

Phase 4 (July 20th, 2020)

1. Opening of crèches, childminders and pre-schools for children of all other workers on a gradually increasing basis.
2. Return to work for those who cannot work from home.
3. Gradual easing of restrictions for higher risk services (e.g. Hairdressers).
4. Opening of museums, galleries, places of worship.

Phase 5 (August 10th, 2020)

1. Allow larger social gatherings.
2. Return to work across all sectors.
3. On a phased basis, commencing at the beginning of the academic year, 2020/2021, opening of primary and secondary schools and 3rd level institutions.
4. Further easing of restrictions on high risk retail services.