Safe Christmas

Ireland is at Level 5 with a number of exceptions in place for the Christmas period.

Celebrate safely this festive season - stay safe and protect each other:

• minimise in person contacts
• wear a face covering and wash hands regularly
• shop safely, avoid crowds indoors and outside
• if you feel unwell, don't risk it – stay home and contact your GP
• keep fresh air circulating in your home

• when planning your Christmas shopping, please support your local retailers and businesses. If you feel unwell you should stay at home
• at this busy time of year, you can still shop online or over the phone and collect your goods or have them delivered
• if you do go out shopping, wrap up warm in case you have to queue
• try to shop at off-peak times and keep a 2 metre distance from other shoppers
• you must wear your mask in store for your safety and for that of other shoppers and staff
• try to keep your shopping time to a minimum and remember to use hand sanitiser on entering and leaving the shop
• more guidance for businesses is available

Christmas visiting

An important part of Christmas for all of us is being able to spend time with family, friends and neighbours. However, as we all know, this year things will be a bit different. So take a little time to plan ahead, here are some tips to remember on how we can all continue to do that, but making sure we keep each other safe too.

Remember the essentials

• wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub if your hands are not visibly dirty
• when coughing and sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with your elbow or a tissue
• avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• read guidance on how to protect yourself

Outdoors when possible

• when spending time with friends and family this festive season, try to do so outdoors where possible
• wrapping up well and enjoying the company of others in outdoor settings is safer than indoors

Visiting vulnerable family, friends and neighbours

• wear a mask when mixing with vulnerable people and those with underlying conditions
• if indoors, make sure where possible that the space is well ventilated
• limit the amount of time you spend together
• make sure these people are comfortable with you visiting before you land at their doorstep

What you can do to protect yourself and others:

• sanitise your hands on entry and exit
• always wear your face mask indoors and when moving around the building, including going to the bathroom
• one person from your group provides details for contact tracing.
• Fáilte Ireland Guidelines available here

What businesses are doing to protect customers and staff:

• teams are fully trained in COVID-19 prevention measures
• environments are safe and hygienic with hand sanitiser provided
• staff will wear a face mask at all times while working indoors

Plan ahead

• plan how you will spend your Christmas Day and who you will be in contact with
• keep your guestlist short and try to ensure that you limit your close contacts in the days and weeks beforehand
• remember – every contact counts!

On arrival

• try encourage guests to use hand sanitiser or to wash their hands when they arrive at your home or do so when you arrive at someone else’s home

Limit contact

• try to avoid hugs, kisses and handshakes as people arrive
• don’t share items like crockery and glassware
• avoid sharing food and buffet style set ups

Give a little extra space

• try to allow extra space at the dinner table
• extra distance between settings will make sure everyone is comfortable and keeps safe
• people from the same households should sit together

In the kitchen

• remember to wear a mask when cooking and serving food
• limit the amount of people in the kitchen

Fresh air

• keep your home and spaces where people are gathering ventilated
• keep windows and doors open where possible
• try and get out for a walk or spend some time in the fresh air