Some Covid-19 restrictions will ease from Monday 26th April to allow more mourners to attend funerals and for some outdoor activities to resume.
From Monday, the maximum attendance at funerals will increase to 25 on compassionate grounds.
Also from Monday:
– Underage non-contact outdoor training in pods of 15 or fewer can recommence, this includes dance training if conducted out of doors;
– Outdoor sports facilities can reopen (e.g. pitches, golf courses and tennis courts, other facilities as appropriate). Activities should take place between a maximum of two households. Indoor facilities e.g. changing rooms, showers, kitchens, meeting rooms must remain closed apart from essential toilets
– Outdoor visitor attractions can reopen (i.e. zoos, open pet farms, heritage sites but not amusement parks) are permitted to open
The government has urged mourners attending funerals to continue to follow guidance as numbers increase.
Elizabeth Canavan, Assistant Secretary General, Department of the Taoiseach said: “Gatherings should not take place before or after funeral services. We have always acknowledged throughout the pandemic that restrictions are particularly difficult for those who are bereaved, and make a tough time even tougher. However, we are asking people to continue to follow the guidance here. There are other ways to pay respects and show support to those who are bereaved.”
“If we can continue the progress we have been making, we can look forward to the continued easing of restrictions through May and June. The Government will make further decisions on this next week.”
The next phases to be considered by the Government before 4th May are:
– Full reopening of construction activity
– Phased return of non-essential retail commencing with click and collect and outdoor retail, for example: garden centres/nurseries
– Recommencement of personal services on a staggered basis
– Reopening of museums, galleries and libraries
– Recommencement of religious services on a staggered basis
