The advice below includes a summary of the new measures announced by the Government on Tuesday 15 September 2020.
The full breakdown is available via gov.ie →
Framework for Restrictive Measures in Response to COVID-19:
The Framework for Restrictive Measures is a risk management strategy for the next 6-9 months. It is designed to allow individuals, families, businesses and services better understand, anticipate and prepare for the measures Government might introduce to stop escalation of the transmission of the disease.
The Government’s strategy, in line with the public health advice, is suppression.
The Government has devised a 5 level system, with each Level corresponding to the measures that will be in place in that region as a result of the pattern and progress of COVID-19 in a particular region at a particular time. Ireland is currently at level 2.
How the levels are decided:
The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) reviews a number of disease indicators on an ongoing basis. These include:
- The 14 and 7 day incidence per head of population.
- The rolling 5-day average of cases by county.
- The number and location of clusters of cases.
- The level of cases in nursing homes and other residential healthcare settings.
- The number of admissions to hospital and ICU.
- The number of deaths.
Based on their analysis of the disease, NPHET will make recommendations to the government on the appropriate Level on a county or national basis, who will make a decision and announcement to those concerned.
Depending on the behaviour of the disease, different counties may be at different Levels. For example, the measures introduced in Kildare, Laois and Offaly in August would have put them at Level 3, while all other counties were at Level 2.
NPHET monitors the disease on an ongoing basis. Any restrictions will typically be in place for 3 weeks aligned with previous phases. Given our geography, it is not expected that 5 different levels of disease prevalence would happen in different regions across the country.
Indoor events and gatherings in controlled environments:
There is no risk free scenario but a ‘controlled environment’ is one where the number of people and the ways that they interact can be actively managed. The owners or organisers can control the number of people coming in and out, and there is space to physically distance. Controlled environments are those where the number of people present and the ways that they interact can be controlled, where there is a recognised organiser, where people are seated and generally remain in that same seat for the event, physical distancing, hand hygiene can be monitored, and contact tracing can be facilitated. For example, a sports club AGM, watching indoor sport, youth club meetings, AA meetings, conferences, training events, theatre performances.
These events must be pre-organised with an identified organiser to ensure people are seated, physical distancing, hand hygiene can be monitored and contact tracing can be facilitated. Capacity for indoor events is smaller than outdoors, because we know COVID-19 spreads more in enclosed, unventilated or confined spaces.
Attention should be paid to appropriate behaviour before and after events – there is increased risk of COVID-19 transmission when sharing cars to and from events, or in socialising around events.
The specific restrictions for indoor events at level 2:
- 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.
Outdoor events and gatherings in controlled environments:
These events must be pre-organised with an identified organiser who ensures physical distancing can be maintained. Capacity for outdoor events is larger than indoor, due to evidence that indicates COVID-19 spreads less easily out in the open air.
Attention should be paid to appropriate behaviour before and after events – there is increased risk of COVID-19 transmission when sharing cars to and from events, or in socialising around events. But it is important to note that outdoors isn’t completely risk-free. There are still opportunities for close contact and there are particular risks associated with activities surrounding the event, for example transportation to/from, entry/exit – these are points from there is a particular risk of congregation.
The specific restrictions for outdoor events at level 2:
- 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.
Museums and Galleries:
Museums and galleries are controlled spaces, with protective measures such as a maximum capacity to allow 2 metre distancing, the ability to control the amount of people in a space at any one time, one-way traffic within the venue, staff wearing face coverings, and more, in place.
The specific restrictions for Museums and Galleries at level 2:
- 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.
ISACS will provide further updates on level restrictions as and when they take effect.