Donegal placed on Level 3 under Ireland’s Plan for Living with COVID-19

1. NPHET advice
2. Placing Donegal at Level 3 has the following implications for those living or working in Donegal
3. Sports
4. Business and Services

5. Over 70s and Medically Vulnerable
6. Business Supports
7. Notes

From midnight tomorrow, Friday 25 September, the county of Donegal will be placed on Level 3 of the Plan for Living with COVID-19.

This action is based on a review of the current public health advice and is in response to the deteriorating situation with the virus in Donegal.

The rest of the country remains at Level 2 apart from Dublin which is also at Level 3.

Donegal will be at Level 3 for a period of 3 weeks, until Friday 16 October, at which point the situation will be reviewed by the government, based on the status of the virus and public health advice.

The government has also announced a 30% top-up to the Restart Plus grant to help support those affected through the 3-week period.

This will be available immediately through the normal application process at an estimated additional cost of €2 million to the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation.

In addition, applications from Donegal will be prioritised for the wide range of existing loan and voucher schemes available to assist businesses affected by COVID-19 through the July Jobs Stimulus and other government initiatives.

NPHET advice

The Government decision was guided by advice from NPHET and followed consideration at Cabinet. The NPHET recommendations are targeted specifically at limiting social contacts and reducing congregation.

Placing Donegal at Level 3 has the following implications for those living or working in Donegal

in your home or garden, you can have a maximum of 6 visitors from 1 other household
no social/family gatherings should take place, with exemptions to this for weddings and funerals (see below)
no organised indoor gatherings should take place. Organised outdoor gatherings are permitted, up to a maximum of 15 people
people living in Donegal should remain in the county (that is, they must not leave Donegal to travel either domestically or internationally), with the exception of those who must travel for work, education and other essential purposes
people living outside of Donegal should not travel to Donegal, with the exception of those who must travel for work, education and other essential purposes
people working in Donegal are asked to work from home unless absolutely necessary
schools, early learning and childcare services should remain open. Adult and higher education institutions should remain open, but are asked to review protective measures and take steps to limit congregation as much as possible

You are asked to walk or cycle where possible so that public transport is available for use by essential workers and for essential work only.

Sports

no matches or other sporting events should take place, with the exception of professional, elite, inter county and senior club championship – all to take place behind closed doors
horse racing may continue, but behind closed doors
non-contact training activities can continue in the outdoors and in pods of up to 15, with certain exemptions (see below)
indoor training should be confined to individuals only and no classes are to take place

Business and Services

all retail shops and shopping centres may remain open. All services such as hairdressers, beauticians, barbers, opticians may remain open
libraries will be available for e-services and call and collect
all outdoor playgrounds, play areas, parks remain open
gyms/leisure centres, swimming pools may remain open for individual use only and with protective measures
hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs may remain open, but with services limited to residents
restaurants and cafes (including bars/pubs serving food/wet pubs) may remain open for take-away and delivery and outdoor dining/service to a maximum of 15 people
religious services will move online, though places of worship may remain open for private prayer
all indoor museums, galleries, cinemas and other cultural attractions should close

Over 70s and Medically Vulnerable

those aged over 70 and the medically vulnerable are advised to continue to exercise personal judgement
it is recommended that they stay at home as much as possible, limit engagement to a very small network for short periods of time, while remaining physically distanced
when taking exercise outdoors, it is important to maintain 2 metres distance from others and wash hands on returning home
it is recommended to shop during designated hours only, while wearing a face covering, and to avoid public transport

Business Supports

While difficult to quantify exactly, these restrictions will have a significant impact on businesses and employment in Donegal. In recognition of the impact of these restrictions on businesses in Donegal, it is proposed to provide a similar package of measures as was provided in the case of Kildare, Offaly, Laois, and Dublin.

Therefore, a 30% top-up to the Restart Plus grant will be provided to help support those affected through the three-week period. Businesses who have previously benefited from the Restart Grant will be eligible to re-apply for this top-up.

In addition, applications from Donegal will be prioritised for the wide range of existing loan and voucher schemes available to assist businesses affected by COVID-19 provided through the July Jobs Stimulus and other government initiatives.

Other employment and income supports, including the Pandemic Unemployment Payment and Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme, as well as the full range of employment, training and support services for affected workers, will also continue to be made available. The final cost will depend on numbers of additional claimants.

ENDS

Notes

Weddings and Funerals

for the weekend of 26/27 September

weddings can proceed as originally planned up to a limit of 50 guests. Donegal residents may attend weddings outside of Donegal and those outside of Donegal may travel to weddings in Donegal over this weekend
the Level 3 measures for funerals come into effect on Monday 28 September

from Monday 28 September

weddings in Donegal may proceed, but with a limit of 25 guests for ceremony and reception (irrespective of venue). It will not be possible for residents outside of Donegal to attend weddings in Donegal, nor will it be possible for those in Donegal to attend weddings in other areas of the country. Couples resident in Donegal with existing plans outside the county can travel to get married at another location

visits to Long Term Residential Care facilities are suspended, with the exception of visits required for critical and compassionate circumstances
public transport operates at 50% capacity
non-contact training activities can continue in the outdoors and in pods of up to 15. There is an exemption to this for professional or elite athletes, for inter-county sports and for senior club championship training
no matches or other sporting events should take place, with the exception of professional, elite, inter county and senior club championship which should take place behind closed doors. Horse racing may continue, but behind closed doors
nightclubs, discos and casinos will remain closed

Travel for Work and Essential Purposes

travel to and from work, or for the purposes of work and where that work cannot be done from home
to attend medical appointments and collect medicines and other health products
for vital family reasons, such as providing care to children, elderly or vulnerable people, but excluding social family visits
for farming purposes, that is, food production or care of animals