The new restrictions; the what, when and how

The Government has agreed that from midnight on December 24 until January 12, Level 5 restrictions will apply nationally.

There will be a number of specific adjustments to Level 5 and, in addition, certain transitional arrangements will apply during the Christmas period.

The Government has considered a number of factors in arriving at this decision, including NPHET concerns at the rapid increase in COVID-19 case numbers over recent days.

These include the nature of social interaction likely to take place over the Christmas period, with additional mixing between younger and older people, and the risk that this could lead to a wave of infection with a higher risk age profile.

The adjustments to Level 5 are as follows:

*Non-essential retail may remain open. The retail sector will be requested to defer January sales events.

*Gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools may remain open for individual training only.

*Hotels may only open for essential non-social and non-tourist purposes except for guests who already have a booking and are due to check in up to and including December 26.

*You must remain within your county (as opposed to within 5K of your home) apart from travel for work, education or other essential purposes.

*Non-contact training in pods of up to 15 may take place outdoors.

*No matches/events should take place except for professional and elite sports, horse racing, greyhound racing and approved equestrian events behind closed doors.

*Golf and outdoor tennis can continue within county.

The specific transitional arrangements for the Christmas period are as follows:

Hospitality

From 3pm on December 24

Restaurants and pubs operating as restaurants will close.

Hotels may provide food and bar services to guests only after that point.

Social/Family Gatherings(*)

Up to and including December 26

Visits from up to 2 other households will be permitted

Up to and including December 31

Visits from one other household will be permitted

From January 1

No visitors are permitted in private homes/gardens (except for essential family reasons such as providing care to children, elderly or vulnerable people, or as part of a support bubble).

Travel

Travel outside your county will continue to be permitted up to and including December 26. Those away from their place of residence after that period will be permitted to return to their place of residence.

Religious Services

Christmas religious services may take place, but will move online after December 25 when places of worship may remain open for private prayer.

Funerals

Up to 10 mourners only permitted at funerals.

Weddings

Up to and including, January 2, weddings can have up to 25 guests.

From January 3, weddings can have up to 6 guests.

The Government has also agreed that the current restrictions on travel from Britain to Ireland should remain in place until at least Decembe 31, but kept under constant review in the light of unfolding information and circumstances.

ENDS.

Notes for editors:

Social/Family Visits

(*) For those who are part of a support bubble, the bubble counts as one household.

Other Level 5 provisions:

Individual training only is permitted indoors. No indoor exercise or dance classes are permitted.

Nightclubs, discos and casinos remain closed.

Personal services must close.

People should continue to work from home unless essential for work which is an essential health, social care or other essential service and cannot be done from home.

Public transport capacity should be restricted at 25%.

Outdoor playgrounds, play areas and parks to remain open.

Long-term Residential Care Facilities visiting: suspended, aside from critical and compassionate circumstances.

Childcare services, early learning and schools remain open.

Higher, further and adult education should remain primarily online.

Museums, galleries, libraries and other cultural attractions are closed.