Ireland update – Covid and the prospect of Junior Programmes

For the Irish ETL sector, it has been really difficult to predict the situation in relation to Covid and the prospect of Junior Programmes running this Summer. Here is a quick summary of what we currently know:

Current Situation in Ireland: Thankfully the situation is continuing to improve rapidly. The case number is low, the 5th lowest in Europe. 30% of the adult population have received their first vaccine and the numbers being vaccinated are increasing each week. The Government target for vaccine rollout is to have 82% of the adult population to have received at least their first vaccine by the end of June.

Lifting of Restrictions: The government has announced a staged lifting of restrictions throughout May and June. The vaccination target is set to allow further reopening in July. But the details are unknown until the end of this month but it is likely to involve greater indoor activity; restaurants, cafes, bars etc.

International Travel: Mandatory Quarantine expires in law at the end of June and is set to be replaced by the EU Digital Passport. This will allow those who:  1. have been vaccinated, 2. have had Covid in the last 6 months, or 3. have a negative PCR test, to fly without restriction.

The Lifting of Restrictions and the Digital Passport give the ELT sector great hope for the Summer.

Ireland | Covid-19 | Public Health Measures

From 10 May 2021: 

• You can travel outside of your county. 
• People from 3 households can meet outdoors (including in a garden), or 6 people from any  number of households. 
• Fully-vaccinated people can meet with one other household (that includes non-vaccinated  people) indoors. 
• Hairdressers, barbers and other personal services can reopen by appointment. • Non-essential shops can offer click and collect services by appointment. Outdoor retail, like  gardening centres, can reopen. 
• Outdoor training can start for adults in pods of up to 15. 
• Church services can be held. This does not include communions and confirmations. • Museums, galleries, libraries and other indoor cultural activities can reopen. • Outdoor organised events can take place with up to 15 people in attendance. • Weddings can have 50 people at the service. Up to 15 can go to outdoor wedding celebrations  and up to 6 can attend indoors. 
• Funeral services can have up to 50 mourners. 
• From 17 May 2021: 
• All non-essential shops can reopen 

From 2 June 2021: 

• Hotels and bed and breakfasts can reopen services for guests only. 

From 7 June 2021: 

• You can have visitors to your home from one other household. 

• Restaurants and pubs can reopen for outdoor service 

• Gyms, swimming pools and leisure centres can reopen 

• Restaurants and bars can reopen for outdoor service for groups of up to 6 people 

Source: https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/0bd80-new-public-health-measures-announced-the-path ahead/#your-quick-guide-to-the-changes