Press release
Government approves moving to Phase 1 of easing COVID-19 restrictions
From Department of the Taoiseach
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of the Taoiseach
Published on
Last updated on
The government has today (Friday) announced that we are on course to move to Phase 1 of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business from Monday May 18. This is in line with advice received from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET).
Speaking at the announcement, An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar said:
"I can confirm that it is safe to proceed with Phase 1 of our plan to ease the COVID-19 restrictions on Monday. This gives us reason to hope, but it is not a cause for celebration. We have a long way to go yet. There will be bumps in the road and we have to keep our guard up."
From Monday, under Phase 1, you are advised to Stay at Home, and avoid unnecessary journeys, except for the following 5 reasons:
Older people and those who are cocooning should continue to stay at home, except for brief outdoor exercise within 5km of their home.
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The government is urging everyone to remember the importance of adhering to basic hygiene measures to stop the spread of COVID-19.
These are to:
These measures are more important than ever as we gradually lift restrictions.
As part of the gradual easing of restrictions in Phase 1, members of the public are being advised to use a face covering (that is, a non-medical face covering) as an additional hygiene measure, when using busy public transport or when in enclosed indoor public areas such as retail outlets.
An Taoiseach said:
"As a country we have done a lot to suppress the spread of this virus. But extreme vigilance will be required until a vaccine, effective treatment or prophylaxis is found, and that might be some time away. The only thing that is inevitable is the spread of the virus unless we push it back every day. Coronavirus is a ‘fire in retreat’ but it is not defeated. We must extinguish every spark, quench every ember."
As part of the government’s plan to gradually reopen our economy and society, the following changes will come into effect from Monday, where social distancing can be maintained:
Only stores providing homeware incidental to primary retail functions set out in the original Essential Services list are to repen in Phase 1. It is not intended that stores which might also classify themselves as homeware, but primarily sell items such as furniture, bedding, curtains, kitchenware, crockery or other such items and so on, should open.
During Phase 1, it is intended that customers should restrict visits to such stores for essential supplies. All retailers are encouraged to continue to provide on-line services where that is possible and appropriate to minimise footfall. All of these outlets must implement physical distancing measures and measures set out in the Return to Work Safely Protocol.
The Return to Work Safely Protocol is the operative guide for employees and employers as sectors of our economy reopen.
In reaching its decision, the government also considered the social and economic implications of the COVID-19 restrictions, and was briefed by the Minister for Health on the latest data regarding the progression of COVID-19 in the community and the capacity of our health service.
ENDS
Notes to the Editor:
You can view a full list of businesses permitted to open in Phase 1 on gov.ie/phase1.