Tomorrow will see the first phase of easing lockdown restrictions imposed to limit the spread of Covid-19, with a number of business sectors and amenities allowed to reopen for the first time in weeks.
The Cabinet signed off last Friday on beginning Phase 1 of the roadmap to ending the country’s lockdown after advice from the NPHET.
Galway City Council has released its own roadmap for reopening the city’s economy and social life that follows the government’s timeline.
This details what public services will be opening back up next week and in the weeks and months ahead.
Leaving the house
For the most part people should still remain at home as much as possible, and only leave for very limited reasons.
The include travelling to and from works, buying food and essential goods, attending medical appointments, taking exercise, vital family reasons, or meeting people outdoors.
Those who can work from home should continue to do, and people who are currently cocooning are also advised to continue doing so, except when exercising.
Other than for specific reasons, the 5km travel limit still stands. It is currently not due to change until Phase 2 starting on June 8, when the limit will be raised to 20km.
Small groups of people will be able to meet outdoors from tomorrow, no more than four at a time, so long as they practice strict social distancing.
The NPHET is advising that people who are out in areas where social distancing is not possible should wear face coverings.
The Taoiseach has stressed that this is health advice, and not a compulsory measure for going out in public.
Shops reopening
An expanded list of retail outlets and personal services will be allowed to reopen from Monday, as long as they a plan to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in the workplace.
These include retail outlets that are primarily outdoors such as garden centres and farmers markets
Other shops and services allowed to reopen include
- Opticians and optometrists
- retailers involved in the sale, supply and repair of motor vehicles, motorcycles and bicycle repair and related facilities
- hardware stores, builders’ merchants and stores that provide hardware products, farm equipment, and gardening supplies.
- retailers selling office supplies and services for businesses and people working from home.
- retailers providing electrical, IT and phone sales, repair and maintenance services.
Stores that are reopening must have a plan in place to minimise the spread of Covid-19 among both customers and staff
Public amenities
Until now people have been forced to get exercise in their gardens or on the roads near their homes in lockdown, but a number of sports facilities and other amenities will be allowed to reopen tomorrow.
Outdoor public amenities and tourism sites such as parks, beaches, mountain walks, heritage and cultural sites can reopen.
As can sports facilities such as pitches, tennis courts and golf courses which have been closed since lockdown started.
