On 15 September 2020, the Government of Ireland introduced the National Framework for living with COVID-19. This document outlined five different risk levels, from Level 1 (a very low rate of COVID-19 infections) to Level 5 (a very high rate of COVID-19 infections), along with the various social restrictions associated with each level. We have explained these restrictions below, and how they impacted different aspects of our lives as the country moved from one risk level to another.
At Level 1, social gatherings could take place for up to 10 people from up to three other households. At Level 2, this was six people from up to three other households. At Level 3, a max of six people could gather from one other household. At Levels 4 and 5, no visitors were allowed.
The maximum number of guests allowed to attend weddings was restricted to 100 people at Level 1, 50 people at Level 2, 25 people at Level 3, and six people at Levels 4 and 5.
Indoor events were permitted at Levels 1 and 2, with limited capacity depending on the venue size. No indoor events were permitted at Levels 3, 4 and 5. Outdoor events were permitted up to Level 4, with limited capacity depending on the venue size.
At Level 1, normal training was allowed provided protective measures were taken. At Level 2, Training was allowed in groups of up to six people indoors and up to 15 people outdoors. At Level 3 and 4, only individual training was allowed indoors, and only non-contact training of groups up to 15 was allowed indoors. At Level 5, only individual training was permitted.
At Levels 1 and 2, matches were allowed with capacity restrictions depending on the venue type and size. At Levels 3 to 5, no matches were permitted.
At Levels 1 and 2, gyms, pools and leisure centres were allowed to open provided protective measures were implemented. At Level 3, they opened only for individual training and were closed completely at Levels 4 and 5.
A capacity limit of fifty applied to all religious services at Levels 1 and 2, whereas at Levels 3 and 4, all services took place online, apart from funerals which were restricted to twenty-five attendees. At Level 5, this capacity limit for funerals was reduced to 10.
Indoor dining was permitted at Level 1 with protective measures, and at Level 2 for groups of up to six. At Levels 3 and 4, only outdoor dining was permitted, and at Level 5 only takeaway/delivery was permitted.
Wet Pubs – a term used to describe pubs that didn’t serve food – were open at Level 1 with protective measures, and at Level 2 for groups of up to six. At Levels 3 and 4, only outdoor service was permitted, and at Level 5 only takeaway/delivery was permitted.
Hotels, Guesthouses and B&Bs were open at Levels 1 and 2, provided protective measures were implemented. At Level 3, services were limited to Residents only. At Level 4, they were open for Existing Guests and Essential Purposes. At Level 5, they were open for Essential Purposes only.
Retailers could open at Levels 1 to 3 with protective measures, including mandatory mask wearing. At Level 4, and 5 only Essential Retailers were permitted to open.
At Levels 1 and 2, venues could open with protective measures. At Levels 3 to 5, venues were closed, with just online services available.
The guidance for employees at all restriction levels was to work from home if possible. Staggered attendance was permitted at Level 1, and at Level 2 essential meetings and induction & training could take place. At Level 3 employees were permitted to attend only if absolutely necessary, and only essential workers were permitted to attend at Levels 4 and 5.
There were no restrictions on domestic travel at Levels 1 and 2. At Levels 3 and 4, travel was restricted to within your own county, and at Level 5 this was restricted to exercising within 5km of your home.
The guidance at all restriction levels was to cycle or walk if possible, and face coverings were mandatory on all public transport. At Levels 2 and 3, capacity was restricted to 50%, and this was further reduced to 25% capacity at Levels 4 and 5.
Facilities were open with protective measures at Levels 1 to 4. At Level 5, recommendations around closures depended on the situation and evidence at the time.
At Levels 1 to 3, facilities were open with protective measures in place, and with congregations limited at Level. At Level 4, classes moved online with on-site attendance only when essential. At Level 5, recommendations around closures depended on the situation and evidence at the time.
Care homes were open with protective measures at Levels 1 and 2. At Levels 3 to 5, all visiting was suspended, aside from critical and compassionate circumstances.
People were advised to exercise judgement regarding engaging with others and in activities outside home, in order to protect over 70s and members of the population who were medically vulnerable.
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