Government ‘Roadmap’ to easing restrictions revealed

The Roadmap will start from May 18th, from which point our country will re-open in a slow, phased way. The plan sets out five stages for unlocking restrictions, at three week intervals.

As we ease restrictions, the rate of the virus in the community will be constantly monitored by the National Public Health Emergency Team and the Government.

There are 5 phases in the Roadmap to ease restrictions.   Each phase consists of a menu of options will be considered by Government as it gradually opens up economic and social activities. Examples of the types of actions which will be considered under the various phases  include:

Phase 1 (18^th May)

·       Allow outdoor meetings between people from different households

·       Open up childcare for healthcare workers

·       Phased return of outdoor workers

·       Open retailers which are primarily outdoor or those which were open during first level of restriction (e.g. opticians)

·       Opening of certain outdoor public amenities

Phase 2

·       Open public libraries

Phase 3

• Allow small social gatherings
• Opening of crèches, childminders and pre-schools for children of essential workers in phased manner
• Return to work for those with low levels of interaction
• Open non-essential retail outlets with street level entrance and exit
• Open playgrounds

Phase 4

• Opening of crèches, childminders and pre-schools for children of all other workers on a gradually increasing basis
• Return to work for those who cannot work from home
• Gradual easing of restrictions for higher risk services (e.g. Hairdressers)
• Opening of museums, galleries, places of worship