Cabinet signs off on easing of restrictions for travel, hospitality an entertainment

The Cabinet has signed off on the latest easing of restrictions dates set for a return to international travel and outdoor dining:

- International travel from 19 July

- Hotels open on 2 June

- Outdoor service for pubs and restaurants from 7 June

- Indoor service in pubs and restaurants from 5 July

- Gyms open on 7 June

- Cinemas open 7 June (max capacity 50)

- Theatres reopen in June (max 50)

Taoiseach Micheal Martin said the measures which were approved by Cabinet which met earlier today meant that the strategy to combat Covid-19 is working and that "the end of this is within our grasp".

"Now, the challenge is to keep moving forward, safely," he said.

From 2 June hotels can reopen here following by outdoor service at restaurants and pubs from 7 June. Cinemas and gyms will also reopen on this date and outdoor sports matches can take place.

From this date, there will also be an incremental return of driving test centres and a phased reopening of day centres for older people. 25 people can also attend a wedding celebration or reception.

In relation to outdoor events, from 7 June up to 200 people can attend outdoor venues with a minimum capacity of 5,000. A maximum of 100 people can gather for a majority of outdoor events.

From 5 July, bar and restaurants will be able to serve customers indoors again and 50 people can attend a wedding celebration or reception.

There will be an increase in the number of people able to attend outdoor events, with a maximum of 500 people in venues with a minimum capacity of 5,000.

A maximum of 50 people will be able to attend the majority of indoor venues, while 100 can attend events in larger venues with strict public health measures in place.

There will be a further relaxation on visits to private homes and indoor exercise and sport activities will return.

Subject to continued progress in the virus, from 5 August there will be a further increase numbers attending indoor events, with 200 in larger venues and 100 in all others.

There will also be a further increase in numbers attending outdoor events.

The 50% capacity restriction on public transport will be lifted, and 100 guests can attend wedding.

The Taoiseach also said that there will be a number of pilot entertainment and sporting events in June and early July.

The pilot events include large and small gigs in many genres ranging from classical to electronic music along with sports fixtures at locations across the country during June and July.

In relation to international travel, the Taoiseach said that Ireland will begin operating the EU Digital Covid Cert from 19 July.

He said that he understood the importance of aviation and tourism sectors, adding that international connectivity was critical to Ireland's place in the world, with many jobs and livelihoods dependent on it.

Mr Martin said he also understood "very clearly" the need to get international travel back in a safe and sustainable way. He said that the direction of travel is "clear and very positive".

KEY DATES IN DETAIL

From 2 June

Accommodation services including hotels, B&Bs, self-catering and hostels can reopen. Services including leisure facilities, indoor restaurant and bar services must be restricted to overnight guests/residents only.

From 7 June

Numbers permitted at outdoor events can increase to a maximum of 100 for most venues, with a maximum of 200 for outdoor venues with a minimum accredited capacity of 5,000

Cinemas and theatres can reopen

Partial reopening of Driver Theory Test Services (25,000 tests per month with related incremental opening of driver test centres)

Visiting indoors in private homes – visitors from one other household are permitted for unvaccinated households

The numbers of guests attending a wedding celebration or reception can increase to 25

Outdoor sports matches can recommence

Gyms, swimming pools, leisure centres can reopen for individual training only

Outdoor services in restaurants and bars can recommence

Outdoor amusement/theme parks/funfairs can reopen

From 5 July (subject to the public health situation at the time)

The return of indoor hospitality in restaurants and bars

You can have visitors from up to three other households inside your home

50 people can attend a wedding celebration or reception

Maximum of 50 attendees at the majority of venues. Maximum of 100 people can attend events in larger venues with strict public health measures in place

Maximum of 200 attendees for the majority of venues. Maximum of 500 for outdoor venues with a minimum accredited capacity of 5,000

Indoor training, exercise and dance activities can recommence in pods of up to six

From 19 July

Subject to the prevailing public health situation, Ireland will operate the EU Digital Covid Certificate (DCC) for travel originating within the EU/EEA.

The DCC system will be used throughout the EU as well as Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Iceland.

A DCC will show if a passenger:

is vaccinated against Covid-19;

has recovered from Covid-19 in the past nine months; or

has a negative test result taken no more than 72 hours before arrival.

Passengers arriving into Ireland with a DCC will not have to undergo quarantine.

Drive-in cinema and drive-in bingo can take place

Swimming lessons and classes can take place.

However, passengers with a DCC based on a non-PCR test (for example, antigen), or those arriving without a DCC, will require proof of a negative RT-PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival.

Children aged between 7 and 18 who have not been vaccinated must also have a negative PCR test.

A passenger who has been in a non-EU/EEA country in the 14 days prior to arrival into Ireland will be subject to the rules applying to that country.

There will continue to be no restrictions on travel to or from Northern Ireland.

Travelling from outside the EU

The approach to travel outside the EU/EEA will also apply to travel to and from Britain and the US.

An 'emergency brake' mechanism will be coordinated at EU level to react swiftly to the emergence of a variant of concern or variant of interest.

If a person is travelling into Ireland from a non-EU country, and has proof of vaccination, no travel-related testing or quarantine will be necessary.

If they do not have proof of vaccination, they must present evidence of a negative PCR test result within 72 hours prior to arrival, self-quarantine and undergo post-arrival testing - this will be provided through the HSE.

If a person is travelling into Ireland from a non-EU country to which an 'emergency break' has been applied, they must undergo mandatory hotel quarantine if they do not have proof of vaccination.

If they have been vaccinated, they can self-quarantine. In both scenarios, a negative result from a PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before arrival must be presented.

Under consideration for August

Maximum attendance at wedding receptions and celebrations increasing to 100

Further increases in the numbers permitted at indoor and outdoor events

Public transport to return to full capacity

Sport and cultural pilot live events include:

10 June: Outdoor music event curated by the National Concert Hall at Iveagh Gardens, Dublin (500 capacity)

11 June: Shamrock Rovers v Finn Harps at Tallaght Stadium (1,000 capacity); Leinster v Dragons at RDS (1,200 capacity); Cork City v Cabinteely at Turners Cross (600 capacity)

20 June: Camogie National League Finals at Croke Park (3,000 capacity)

23 June: Indoor opera at University Limerick Concert Hall (519 capacity)

25 June: Shamrock Rovers v Drogheda at Tallaght Stadium (1,000 capacity)

26 June: Athletics Ireland National Championships at Morton Stadium, Santry (400 capacity); Outdoor music festival at Phoenix Park, Dublin (3,500 capacity); Music performance indoors, fully seated at INEC Club, Killarney, Co Kerry (200 capacity)

End of June: Race meeting at the Curragh, Kildare (1,000 capacity for one day only)