An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has announced that all travel restrictions will be lifted in Ireland from 29th June.
The current 5km limit will be extended from Monday 8th June to allow people to travel within their own county, or up to 20 km from their homes.
Domestic travel will be permitted nationwide in Phase 3, as part of the government’s accelerated plan to reopen the country and resume tourism and hospitality.
The Taoiseach today confirmed that Ireland is in a safe position to move to Phase 2 on Monday. He also announced that the government is fast-tracking the five-phase roadmap to just four phases.
Phase 3 will start on the 29th of June, and Phase 4 on the 20th of July. Some measures such as bans on mass gatherings may need to remain in place well into August as will public health advice around hygiene and physical distancing.
“Our message today and for the next three weeks is to Stay Local,” An Taoiseach said.
From Monday, groups of up to 6 people will be able to meet with each other indoors or outdoors, once they keep at least 2m apart.
Groups of up to 15 people can meet for outdoor sporting activities.
The government is also approving the reopening of all shops from Monday.
Shopping centres can re-open on June 15th provided measures are taken to ensure people do not congregate at benches, fountains or food courts.
However, hairdressers, barbers and nail salons will not open until Phase 4 (20th July).
Solitary workers can return to their workplaces as can people who maintain a physical distance from others in their workplace, on a phased based. Working from home should remain the norm for those who can.
Up to 25 people will be allowed to attend funerals of loved ones, pay their respects and grieve together.
Public libraries can open on Monday.
There will be a new Summer Education Programme for children with special educational needs and disadvantage, with Minister for Education Joe McHugh bringing forward proposals to Government next week.
Outdoor facilities and amenities for children – including commercial ones – can re-open.
Playgrounds once supervised can reopen on Monday, and outdoor camps for children can also be run, once there are no more than 15 people mixing together.
Elite athletes may return to their training facilities.
Marts can re-open and greyhound racing resume without spectators.
“Summer is not lost and this can be a summer of hope if we keep the virus at bay,” An Taoiseach said, announcing Cabinet plans for a return of the tourism and hospitality sectors on June 29th as part of a revised phase 3.
“We want to see the return of domestic tourism in our country, and the re-opening of hotels, restaurants, hostels, caravan parks, galleries and museums from 29th of June. Making it possible for bars that also operate as restaurants to reopen. Make it possible for us to explore our country as if for the first time and rediscover the beauty that is all around us. We also want places of worship to resume services again, with precautions.
“As our country opens up and we start interacting more, personal responsibility becomes even more important than ever. We got into this fight against COVID-19 together, and we will only get out of it together.”