Public health measures in place right now - 4 September 2020

It is important to remember that COVID-19 is a highly infectious disease. The risk of getting COVID-19 is now part of our daily lives and will remain so for the foreseeable future. We are all vulnerable to this virus and some people, particularly those over 70 and the medically vulnerable, are still at a greater risk of becoming seriously ill.

Physical distancing should continue to be maintained at all times.

You are still advised to:

• wash your hands well and often
• cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or bent elbow when coughing or sneezing, and discard used tissue safely
• distance yourself at least 2 metres away from other people, especially those who might be unwell
• limit your contact with others when out and about
• keep your close contacts to a small number of people
• keep a log of all of your contacts throughout the day
• limit the amount of time you spend in direct contact with other people
• avoid crowded areas. If an area looks busy, go somewhere else or return at a quieter time

By law, you have to wear a face covering:

• on public transport
• in shops, shopping centres and some other indoor settings - see the full list of places

Wearing of face coverings is also recommended in the following circumstances:

• by people visiting the homes of those who are over 70 years of age or who are medically vulnerable
• by people who are being visited in their homes by those who are over 70 years of age or who are medically vulnerable
• if you are sharing a car or other vehicle with someone you don't live with

Wearing cloth face coverings may help prevent people who do not know they have COVID-19 from spreading it to others.

Know the symptoms of COVID-19.

They are:

• a fever (high temperature - 38 degrees Celsius or above)
• a cough - this can be any kind of cough, not just dry
• shortness of breath or breathing difficulties
• loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
• flu like symptoms

If you have any symptoms, you should self-isolate and phone your GP straight away to get tested for COVID-19.

As we learn to live with COVID-19, everyone is urged to use their own judgement and take personal responsibility for protecting themselves and others.

Everyone should be aware of the risk factors for getting COVID-19:

• Distance – The risk of getting COVID-19 increases as the distance between you and others gets smaller. Keep 2 metres apart where possible
• Activity – How you spend time with people and what you do with them can increase your risk. Follow the government’s Stay Safe Guidelines when spending time with others
• Time – The more time you spend in close contact with other people can increase your risk of getting COVID-19. Keep track of who you spend time with and how
• Environment – Being outdoors is safer than being indoors. Where possible, meet with others outdoors. If this is not possible, keep windows and doors open when meeting others inside
• Symptoms – Know the symptoms. If you have them self-isolate and contact your GP immediately

Keep informed about the spread of COVID-19 in your community. Check the virus like you check the weather by using the COVID-19 data hub.

You can now travel throughout the country and to Ireland’s offshore islands.

People over 70 years and the extremely medically vulnerable are at the highest risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and are advised to stay at home as much as possible and to limit physical contact with other people.

You are asked to keep a daily log of people you meet for contact tracing purposes.

You can now travel throughout the country and to Ireland’s offshore islands.

You should avoid using public transport where possible.

You should not share private vehicles with people from outside your household. If this is not possible, face coverings should be worn when sharing a vehicle.

Before travelling to other parts of the country you should check the level of transmission of COVID-19 in your destination on the COVID-19 data hub and consider how best to protect yourself.

Non-essential travel outside of Ireland is not recommended at this time and should be avoided.

Indoor and outdoor social visits to people’s homes should be limited to a maximum of 6 visitors from no more than 3 other households.

This is to allow for physical distancing of 2 metres and for adequate ventilation if they are taking place indoors.

Meeting people outdoors is safer than meeting indoors. Physical distancing should be observed at all times when meeting others.

You are advised to limit the number of people you meet with. The more contact you have - the greater the risk of getting and spreading the virus.

You are asked to keep a daily log of people you meet for contact tracing purposes.

Limits on mass gatherings have now been reintroduced.

Indoor gatherings and events are now limited to 6 people from no more than 3 households.

Outdoor gatherings and events are limited to 15 people.

Weddings are exempt from this guidance and can be held with up to 50 people in attendance including staff working at the venue.

Meeting people outdoors is safer than meeting indoors. Physical distancing should be observed at all times when meeting others.

Your risk of getting the virus increases as you meet and engage with more people. Spontaneous mass gatherings such as parties, gatherings, demonstrations and so on are not recommended at this time and may be dispersed by Gardaí.

Businesses/services such as museums, cinemas, theatres and art galleries are deemed to be controlled environments, with appropriate protective measures in place such as physical distancing between people.

These venues can continue to operate where appropriate physical distancing and all other protective measures can continue to be maintained. Individual groupings attending these venues must be limited to six people from no more than 3 households. Overall attendance must adhere to an overall limit of 50 people.

All remaining community, religious, cultural, social and sport facilities can remain open.

Sporting events and matches can continue to take place behind closed doors.

Gatherings, including social gatherings, before or after events must be avoided. Participants should practice 2 metre physical distancing before and after events, during breaks in play, on the sidelines and team huddles should be avoided.

All necessary measures to comply with child protection still apply.

Gyms/leisure centres/swimming pools/exercise and dance studios can remain open with strict distancing and other appropriate protective measures in place.

Exercise and dance classes should be limited to 6 people and observe physical distancing rules. Multiple pods may operate if sufficient space is available and strict public health protocols are in place.

Groups exercising outdoors should be limited to 15 people, including training sessions. There should be no mixing between groups.

It is recommended that those responsible for managing these facilities should have completed a risk assessment before reopening to manage the public health risk for their customers, attendees, participants, and staff.

The assessment should consider the risk factors for getting COVID-19.

Those are:

• distance
• activity
• time
• environment

The assessment should also include controls such as managed entry, improved hygiene facilities, and regular cleaning to limit these.

Facilities should observe physical distancing guidelines and apply the public health checklist to their operation. Guidance on mass gatherings should also be followed.

Facilities reopening with a return of staff should apply the Return to Work Safely Protocol. This has been designed to support employers and workers to put measures in place that will prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace.

Due to additional risks of spreading the virus linked to choir rehearsals and the playing of wind musical instruments (trumpets, trombones, flutes and so on), extra precautions are advised for groups involving these. Practice, teaching and performance should be outdoors if possible and with strict adherence to 2 metre physical distancing advice. Additional protective measures such as screens, instrument covers and face coverings may be used to help reduce the risk further for those taking part in these activities.

Restaurants and cafes can remain open but must follow additional public health measures:

• they must close to the public by 11.30pm
• face coverings must be worn by staff in customer facing roles where no other protective measures are in place, for example: protective screens and where physical distancing of 2 metres is not possible. They must also be worn by customers when arriving to and leaving their table
• businesses should keep contact details of all customers to help with contact tracing should a customer be confirmed as having COVID-19
• table service must be provided and customers should not be allowed sit at the bar
• there should be a maximum of six people from no more than 3 households allowed at a table
• events, parties or gatherings of more than 6 people indoors or 15 people outdoors are not allowed in these settings

Venues providing food to the public are also required to observe the same public health recommendations for operating as outlined in the retail, personal and commercial activities section below.

As part of the easing of restrictions, the public health advice for those who are over 70 years of age and people who are extremely medically vulnerable has been updated. The HPSC updated guidance on cocooning is available online to support you, your family and or carers. If you are unsure whether or not you fall into one of the categories of extremely medically vulnerable provided by the HPSC, talk to your GP or hospital clinician.

Protect yourself from infection by staying at home as much as you can

It is still recommended that you stay at home as much as you can and limit interactions to a very small network for short periods of time, while remaining physically distanced. Should you wish to visit someone, receive visitors in your home, visit shops, travel and engage in other outdoor activities, it is recommended that you continue to follow the public health and social distancing guidance. The guidance is designed to help you to minimise risk of COVID-19 infection. As the risk cannot be completely eliminated, you will need to decide what is right for you and your health.

When COVID-19 is not circulating in the community, it reduces the risk of getting the disease. You can keep yourself informed of the level of COVID-19 in your local area from data on the Department of Health website.

Visiting and welcoming visitors into your home

Visitors should not visit you if they are unwell, should keep at a 2 metre distance, wash their hands for at least 20 seconds on arrival and should wear face coverings.

If you choose to visit other people’s homes, tell them in advance that you are coming, try to make sure that no one in the household is unwell with COVID-19, ideally wear a face covering, strictly adhere to the 2 metres physical (social) distancing measures and wash your hands when you return home.

Shopping, accessing services and restaurants

Retailers are encouraged to provide dedicated hours for those who are over 70 and medically vulnerable. If you are attending shops and services it is important to follow the public health measures:

• attend shops that provide dedicated hours for those who are over 70 and medically vulnerable which will enable you to do your shopping in a safer way
• wear a face covering
• strictly adhere to the 2 metres physical (social) distancing measures
• wash your hands after you return home

It is important to keep in mind that certain activities carry more risk, for example attending events, crowded areas, activities where physical distancing cannot be maintained.

If you are going to a restaurant, the following advice will help you to minimise your risk:

• if you wish, you can indicate that you are over 70 and or medically vulnerable to the service provider
• make sure you attend venues that are large enough to accommodate 2 metre physical distancing between tables and that are adhering to the measures required for safe reopening of food businesses which include strict hygiene measures and safe entry and exit from the venue
• keep attendance time as short as possible
• wear a face covering when moving around the restaurant
• wash your hands after you return home

Medical appointments

It is important that you continue to attend essential medical services such as GPs and receive medical care at home (if appropriate) to protect your health and wellbeing.

Using public transport

Public transport should be avoided if at all possible. If you must take public transport, you are required to wear a face covering on public transport, stay at a 2 metre distance, if possible, during the journey and wash your hands when you return home.

For more information, the HPSC guidance has been updated and is available here.

The following are open:

• all adult education facilities
• creches, childminding facilities and pre-schools
• summer camps
• youth clubs
• all indoor and outdoor amenities for children

It is recommended that those responsible for these facilities follow HPSC Infection Prevention and Control Guidance and the Return to Work Safely Protocol.

The resumption of visiting at hospitals, nursing homes and other residential settings on a planned and phased basis is continuing.

Contact your hospital, nursing home or residential care facility for details ahead of making any visits.

You should not visit a healthcare or residential care facility if you have any symptoms of COVID-19 infection or are feeling unwell. You should not visit if you have been told you are a close contact of someone confirmed as having COVID-19.

A phased reintroduction of non-COVID care in hospital and other health service settings has begun. This will be delivered alongside COVID-19 care.

Pharmacists are allowed by law to dispense medicines outside the dates spelled out in prescriptions according to their own professional judgement.

All non-essential travel overseas should be avoided.

Anyone arriving to Ireland from overseas must complete a COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form. Further information and guidance is available here.

The measures above are reflected in the regulations under the Health (Preservation and Protection and Other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Act 2020 and will be enforced by An Garda Síochána.