“Our message today is to stay local.”
People will be permitted to travel anywhere within their county from Monday, June 8, Leo Varadkar has confirmed.
The Taoiseach confirmed today that Phase Two of the reopening of Ireland’s economy will commence on Monday, with an acceleration of actions.
“Phase Two Plus” permits people to travel anywhere within their own county, or up to 20km from their home, where necessary. The new measures will also permit groups of no more than six to meet up outside or inside, while maintaining distance.
Those over the age of 70 and other vulnerable members of the population will also be permitted to have visitors to the home.
“Our message today is to stay local,” Varadkar said today.
“[Phase Two] has been made possible because of the considerable sacrifices you have made to restrict the spread of the virus and to protect others.
“Fear has exerted a kind of gravity pulling us down, but now we find there is hope lifting us up again.
“We are making progress, we are heading in the right direction, and we have earned the right to be hopeful about the future again.”
The government’s roadmap for reopening the country will now operate four phases instead of five.
Varadkar said that Cabinet still needs to “work out which actions will take place in which phases,” and that bans on mass gathering may still need to continue until the autumn.
From Monday, groups of 15 will be permitted to meet outside for sporting activities and groups of up to 25 will be able to attend funerals.
All shops will be permitted to open from next week should they be able to adhere to social distancing measures and stop people from congregating outside stores. Shopping malls will be permitted to reopen from June 15.
Public libraries and playgrounds will also reopen on Monday, as will outdoor camps for children as long as there is no more than 15 people mixing together.
Those who can work from home should continue to do so.
From June 29, the government’s revised Phase Three will see the reopening of restaurants, hotels, and bars – if they serve food and operate using table service only.
“Summer is not lost, and this can be a summer of hope if we keep the virus at bay,” said Varadar.
