Government public health guidelines, 24 September 2020

September 24, 2020

On 24 September, the Government announced new public health measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 under the ‘Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19’.

The key measures are as follows:

  1. Ireland remains at Level 2 of the Plan for Living with COVID-19
  2. Donegal will enter Level 3 of the Plan for Living with COVID-19 from midnight on 25 September 2020.
  3. Dublin remains at Level 3.

Level 3 Restrictions in Donegal will come into effect from midnight on 25 September until 16 October.

Visit the Gov.ie website to read the impact of restrictions in full.

The key measures are as follows:

  • With specific regard to indoor venues museums, galleries and other cultural attractions will be closed.
  • Outdoor tourism activities can take place for up to 15 people once protective measures including physical distancing are adhered to.
  • No organised indoor events (e.g. business training events, conferences, events in theatres, cinemas and other Arts events) should take place.
  • No indoor dining is allowed in restaurants, cafes and pubs serving food. Outdoor dining is only permitted to a maximum of 15 patrons at a time.
  • Pubs that do not serve food can remain open for take-away and delivery and outdoor dining/service to a maximum of 15 people.
  • Hotels are open, but services are limited to residents.
  • In an indoor setting, hotels, restaurants and bars serving food will be permitted to cater only for residents
  • Weddings up to 25 people can attend a wedding ceremony and reception.
  • For the weekend of 26/27 September: weddings can proceed as originally planned up to a limit of 50 guests. Donegal residents may attend weddings outside of Donegal and those outside of Donegal may travel to weddings in Donegal over this weekend.
  • From Monday 28 September: weddings in Donegal may proceed, but with a limit of 25 guests for ceremony and reception (irrespective of venue). It will not be possible for residents outside of Donegal to attend weddings in Donegal, nor will it be possible for those in Donegal to attend weddings in other areas of the country. Couples resident in Donegal with existing plans outside the county can travel to get married at another location.

Measures for Level 2 of the Plan for Living with COVID-19

The key differences in the guidelines are as follows:

  1. S.I. 326 of 2020 has been extended by S.I. 347 of 2020.
  2. For businesses serving alcohol, the removal in Level 2 of the requirement for the service of a substantial meal under the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1962.
  3. The removal of the requirement to retain a record of substantial meals served with the exception of counties under Level 3 of the Plan for Living with COVID-19.
  4. An allowance of up to 50 guests permitted at a wedding reception.