Level 2

At Level 2, the majority of areas of economy and society, for example: schools, restaurants, pubs and gyms, are open. The priority is to keep schools and childcare facilities open and minimise disruption in the work force.

Sporting activities can continue, but with a higher level of restriction.

In order to keep people safe, you will be asked to limit the number of people you meet at this level.

In your home or garden

Depending on the health advice at the time - there are 3 options for visitors to your home.

Option 1: visitors from 2 or 3 other households (max 6) or from 1 other household only

Option 2: visitors from 2 other households (max 6) or from 1 other household only

Option 3: a maximum of 6 visitors from 1 other household only.

Other settings outside your home or garden

Members of different households can continue to meet socially in other settings.

A maximum of 6 people from 1 household other than your own can meet indoors and 15 people outdoors.

Up to 50 people can attend a wedding ceremony and reception.

These are controlled environments with a named event organiser, owner or manager.

For example: business, training events, conferences, events in theatres and cinemas or other arts events (excluding sport).

Up to 50 patrons are permitted and in pods or groups of up to 6 if appropriate, with arrangements to ensure no intermingling of groups.

Up to 100 patrons are permitted for larger venues where strict 2 metre seated social distancing and one-way controls for entry and exit can be implemented.

For very large purpose built event facilities (for example: stadia, auditoriums, conference or event centres) specific guidance will be developed with the relevant sectors to take account of size and different conditions for larger events.

These are controlled environments with a named event organiser, owner or manager. For example: outdoor Arts events, training events.

Up to 100 patrons are permitted for the majority of venues.

Up to 200 patrons for outdoor stadia or other fixed outdoor venues with a minimum accredited capacity of 5,000 (with robust protective measures as per sectoral guidance).

For very large purpose built event facilities (for example: stadia, auditoriums, conference or event centres) specific guidance will be developed with the relevant sectors to take account of size and different conditions for larger events.

Training

Outdoors: training can take place in pods of up to 15 (exemption for professional/elite/inter-county sports/senior club championship).

Indoors: training, exercise and dance classes can take place in pods of up to 6 inside (exemption for professional/elite/inter-county sports/senior club championship).

Matches and events

• up to 100 patrons/spectators outdoors and 50 patrons/spectators indoors
• up to 200 for outdoor stadia or other fixed outdoor venues with a minimum accredited capacity of 5,000

For large purpose built event facilities (such as stadia, auditoriums, conferencing/event centres), specific guidance will be developed with the relevant sectors to take account of size and different conditions for events such as large national and international sporting events.

Gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools

These can open with protective measures, taking account of public health advice, including social distancing.

Open with protective measures ( for example, appropriate social distancing, one-way traffic within the venue, removal of communal prayer items) for up to 50 worshipers.

• Religious settings guidance
• Funeral Directors Guidance
• Bereavement guidance

Where the premises allows for a capacity of greater than 50 this may be permitted in separated sub-groupings of no more than 50, with additional protective measures as per guidelines.

Up to 50 mourners can attend.

Open with protective measures (for example, a maximum capacity to allow 2 metre distancing, one-way traffic within the venue).

Maximum numbers are linked to capacity, taking account of public health advice.

Open with protective measures in place (for example: physical distancing, table service only, cleaning regimes, noise controls).

Maximum numbers in restaurants and cafes linked to capacity of establishment, taking account of public health advice, but with individual groups limited to 6 people from the same household.

See guidance from Fáilte Ireland on the reopening of pubs.

See guidance from Fáilte Ireland on the reopening of restaurants and cafes.

Learn more about the Stay and Spend tax credit incentive.

Open with robust protective measures in place (for example: physical distancing, table service only, cleaning regimes, noise controls and so on).

Maximum numbers linked to capacity of establishment, taking account of public health advice including appropriate social distancing, but with individual groups limited to 6 people from the same household.

Nightclubs, discos and casinos

Nightclubs, discos and casinos will remain closed.

Open with protective measures (for example: staff face coverings, signage, hand sanitiser, regular cleaning of hard surfaces, customer details recorded for contact tracing process).

See guidelines on the reopening of hotels.

See guidelines on the reopening of hostels.

Face coverings must be worn.

Open with protective measures in place.

There is specific guidance available for:

• the retail sector
• shopping centres
• spas
• shopping safely during the pandemic

Work from home if possible.

If you can work from home, you are advised to only attend work for essential on-site meetings, inductions and training.

No restrictions.

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All remain open with protective measures in place.

You must wear a face covering if using public transport.

Walk or cycle where possible.

Public transport capacity will be limited to 50%.

Peak hours for essential workers and essential purposes only.

Those aged 70 years and over and the medically vulnerable should exercise judgement regarding the extent to which they engage with others and in activities outside home.

Specific guidance will be provided.

Open with enhanced protective measures.

Follow HPSC guidance.

The Framework for Restrictive Measures will help us to go about our daily lives as much as possible, while managing the behaviour of the virus. The Framework consists of 5 Levels:

• Level 1
• Level 2
• Level 3
• Level 4
• Level 5