Living with Covid plan published – Here’s everything you need to know

James Fenton

The Government has announced its much-anticipated Living with Covid plan which outlines how Irish society can remain open while coronavirus continues to circulate here.

There has been much speculation in recent days over what the Living with Covid plan will entail but we now have all the details after the Government’s official announcement this afternoon. In his speech, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin told the public that a new risk rating system will be introduced involving five levels of Covid-19 restrictions over the next six months.

Below you can see the main points from the Government’s Living with Covid press conference this morning…

Weddings – Under level 1, 100 people can attend a wedding ceremony and reception. This will change to 50 people (level 2), 25 people (level 3), and six people (level 4 and 5).

Pubs – All pubs will open on September 21 as planned, with the exception of Dublin.

Sports – Limited crowds under specific conditions. 100 patrons/spectators will be allowed at outdoor events, eg at club sports grounds. 200 people will be allowed at outdoor venues with capacity above 5,000.

Arts – Access to theatre, cinema and music events in small, controlled settings.

International Travel – Government will broadly support the European Commission proposals on international travel. An approach is being finalised.

Dublin – Additional measures based on NPHET recommendations. These include so-called wet pubs remaining closed on September 21. An Tánaiste Leo Varadkar asked Dublin to remember the 4 W’s – not to welcome people to your home, wash your hands, watch your distance and wear a face covering.

As for the risk rating system under the Living with Covid plan, the levels are outlined as follows…

Level 1 – This is close to where we were for most of the summer. A maximum of 10 people allowed to visit a home at one time.

Level 2 – Six visitors allowed to homes from two different households. The number of people at indoor events such as weddings falls to 50 from 100. So-called ‘wet pubs’ allowed to open. Currently, every county is at level 2 of restrictions. Micheál Martin said that Dublin currently is on level 2 with some modifications.

Level 3 – Six visitors to homes permitted but only from two households. People asked to work from home and only essential travel allowed.

Level 4 – Household visits banned, schools and colleges to remain open subject to restrictions.

Level 5 – This would take us back to the 5km restrictions we saw in March and April with no traveling to work unless essential and no indoor or outdoor gatherings.

You can read about the five Covid restriction levels and the Living with Covid plan in more detail here.