Ireland Level 5 Lockdown: Complete List of Things You Cannot Do...

Today we start the six week trip as Ireland is subject to the toughest restrictions it has faced since the pandemic began.

The little freedom that we have become used to is being taken away again in the hope of finally defeating this pandemic.

Here’s a full list of things you can’t do over the next six weeks, plus six important pieces of information you need to know:

When does the suspension end?

Level 5 measures are in effect from today through December 1, a six-week period.

What is actually closed?

All non-essential retail stores as well as bars, restaurants, cafes, gyms, hairdressers and hairdressers are closed.

Schools and construction sites can remain open.

Sports facilities such as tennis and golf clubs cannot be operated.

Do I have to stay at home?

Yes and no.

The government urges everyone to stay away from home unless for essential reasons.

However, we are allowed to travel within 3 miles of our homes to exercise or to meet someone from another household, which must be done in an outdoor environment where social distancing can be maintained.

What about fines?

Refusing to wear a face mask in shops and public transport will result in fines of € 500.

On site, fines of up to € 500 are also imposed on people who violate the travel restrictions.

Those who host house parties can expect a € 1,000 fine for their first offense or be put behind bars for a month.

It is believed that the fines for the second offense will rise to 1,500 euros and the homeowner could sit in jail for three months.

A third catch increases the fine to 2,500 euros.

When will we know if the lock is working?

NPHET professor Philip Nolan said we should know if new measures are working in about three weeks.

What happens next?

If Ireland’s ‘R-Rate’ drops below one, restrictions will likely be relaxed.

However, it was confirmed Tuesday that the country would need an R-rate less than 0.7 to reopen many sectors.

Travel more than 3 miles from home

Stage five means the imposition of a severe new limit on all of us.

Everyone is encouraged to stay home to minimize the risk of the virus spreading.

We’re allowed to exercise within 3 miles of home – that is, you can run 10 miles if you walk 3 miles there and back, but nothing more.

Penalties are imposed on those caught outside of their 5 km radius.

Go to work (unless you are an essential worker)

Almost all workers have been told to stay at home under the new restrictions.

As always, there are exceptions for “essential workers” – including health professionals, teachers, and those who work in essential retail stores.

Construction workers will continue to go to work, but for most of us, remote work will return in the next six weeks.

to eat out

For many, this evening is the last dinner – at least in a restaurant.

At level three, restaurants up to 15 people were allowed to dine al fresco.

Now it’s over: restaurants can only serve as takeaways for the next six weeks, and many restaurants fear for their survivability.

Grab a beer outdoors

Under Level 3, pubs were also allowed to serve 15 customers outdoors – and just like restaurants, they are now only allowed to serve as take-away or in delivery format.

After tonight, it’s December before you can have a pint from a glass.

Get a haircut

Barbers and hairdressers are also set to hack under level 5 restrictions.

Level three allowed them to work with existing security protocols, but that is now over for the next six weeks.

Expect the return of the buzzcut in homes across the country.

Go to a church service

Religious services have been held online since the country moved to level three earlier this month.

It should stay that way until at least the beginning of December.

Go to the gym

Level three enabled gyms to reopen – but with restricted numbers and security protocols.

But now they are also being asked to close their doors for the near future, which has created resistance from gym owners and enthusiasts alike.

Regardless, it seems home exercise is the way to go for level 5 duration.

Visit family members (with limited exceptions)

In theory, Level Three allowed family reunions to continue, but the government tightened these restrictions by banning home visits for the past few weeks.

Unsurprisingly, visiting family members under level five is a big no-no – unless it’s for childcare, compassionate reasons, or visiting someone who lives alone.

Take public transport

Level five means that we are all instructed to avoid public transport as only key employees will consent to it.

Buses and trains continue to operate at 25% capacity, but the rest of us are encouraged to stay away (and stay at home).

Get some beauty treatment

Beauty salons are another victim of the level 5 restrictions.

You were allowed to open under level 3 with restrictions, but from tomorrow you can no longer do your hair, nails or make-up.

Go to the garden center

They’re not happy about this, but garden centers have also been ordered to close under the level 5 restrictions.

Garden centers have not been classified as “essential retail service providers” by the government. So you’ll need to find another way to tackle the back garden via our new lockdown.

Visit a bookstore

There’s nothing quite like browsing the shelves of your local bookstore, but don’t even think about it for the next six weeks – the bookstores have again been told to close their doors.

Expect a return to online book markets, especially before the holiday season.

Visit a care facility

Level three and higher prohibit visits to nursing homes, with visits only permitted in critical circumstances or for compassionate reasons.

In simpler terms, it means that many who wish to visit relatives in nursing homes will have to contact the facilities themselves to see if they qualify.

Stay in a hotel

It may not come as a surprise that hotels, guest houses, and B & Bs can only stay open to support essential services.

For almost all of us, this means that we cannot go on a trip for one night.

It also means many hotels will have to lay off staff, a hotelier said this week.

Take your driving test (unless you are an essential worker)

The government was not entirely clear on this, but its website states that “Driving tests for essential workers are considered an essential service and can be continued”.

For the rest of us, this means that driving tests below level five are unlikely to be taken.