Kildare Senator Fiona O’Loughlin has welcomed the reopening plan for May and June praising the efforts of people and the vaccination programme to date.
“Because of your hard work, we are now in a better place,” said Senator O’Loughlin. The plan allows people to travel across the country from 10 May. “From 10 May also, three households, or a group of six people, can meet outdoors, including in private gardens, and a vaccinated household can meet an unvaccinated one indoors. This is to allow grandparents in particular meet their extended families. ”On the same day hairdressers, barbers and beauticians will reopen by appointment only, along with libraries, museums, galleries and other cultural attractions, while click-and-collect for non-essential retail will also resume. Up to 50 people will be allowed to attend religious services, including weddings and funerals. However, indoor wedding parties will remain capped at six guests and 15 for outdoor celebrations. On 17 May all shops will be able to reopen, and on 2 June hotels, B&Bs, guesthouses and self-catering accommodation can open again. Outdoor hospitality, including restaurants and all pubs, will resume on 7 June. Gyms, swimming pools and leisure centres can reopen on the same date for individual training. While matches will resume on this date, it will be later in the summer before even small numbers of fans are allowed attend. Also from 7 June, 25 guests can attend wedding receptions and indoor visits in private homes involving one other household can begin again. Work is continuing on a number of other issues in preparation for the coming months:
- A Plan for an enhanced higher and further education on campus experience for the new academic year.
- Proposals on the holding of a limited number of pilot live events for arts, culture, sport and live entertainment (indoor and outdoor). This is to inform the safe reopening of these activities and events when the public health situation allows.
- Preparation for the safe reopening of cinemas and theatres in June subject to public health advice.