Since the government rejected NPHET’s original recommendation to move to Level 5, we’ve all been waiting for it. In the last 10 days, most days have seen over 1,000 new cases and growing incidence rates. 

Last night, after much rumblings of a Level 4+ or a Level 5-, Taoiseach Michael Martin held a press conference announcing Level 5. 

From midnight on Wednesday 21st, the following measures are in place until December 1st.

Family & Socialising

You won’t be allowed any visitors to your home or garden

You can meet with one other household in an outdoor setting which is not a home or garden, such as a park, including for exercise. This is limited to a 5km radius of your home. 

If you live alone, are at risk of isolation or are co-parenting, you can form a social bubble with one other household. If necessary, this social bubble can be outside the 5km limit.

Schools & Creches

Under Level 5, schools, early learning and childcare services will continue to remain open as they are deemed essential. Higher education and adult learning will remain primarily online. 

Sport

In Level 5, there will be no matches or events. But, professional, elite sports and inter-county games, horse racing and greyhound racing can continue behind closed doors.

For training, it’s individual training only (no exercise or dance classes). Gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools will be closed.

Non-contact training can continue for school aged children, outdoors, in pods of 15

Travel within Ireland

In terms of travel within Ireland, you can travel within 5km of your home for exercise or to meet one other household in an outdoor setting. If you need to travel for essential work purposes, the 5km limit doesn’t apply. 

Currently, penalties for travelling outside the 5km radius is being discussed. These are to make sure everyone is complying with the rule.

It hasn’t been confirmed if this limit applies to those travelling to the airport. 

Restaurants, Pubs & Cafes

Under Level 5, outdoor seating for max. 15 people is gone. 

Wet pubs in Dublin will remain closed, but those in other counties will just be takeaway or delivery service only. 

Restaurants, bars and cafes will also now be takeaway or delivery only.

Retail

Under Level 5, only essential retail and services will be open and face coverings must be worn. Fines for not wearing a face covering are also being discussed. 

All other retail and personal services will be closed.

This list includes supermarkets, newsagents, pharmacies, hardware shops, opticians, laundries, dry cleaners, banks, credit unions, post offices and fuel stations. You can see the full list here. 

Weddings, Funerals & Religious Services

For weddings, the number of guests allowed will stay at 25. This includes the couple getting married and the celebrant. 

For funerals, up to 25 mourners can attend.

Religious services will remain online and places of worship will remain open for private prayer.

Hotels

Hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs may remain open, but only to support the provision of essential services.

You can read further details for Level 5 on gov.ie.

These Level 5 measures are being introduced in hopes of slowing down the virus ahead of Christmas. After December 1st, the government, at the moment, plans to move the country to Level 3 followed by Level 2 in the days leading up to Christmas. Though, there doesn’t seem to be a clear, sustainable plan to get us out of rolling lockdowns as community transmission grows and testing and tracing systems come under more pressure.