Federal govt releases road map for easing COVID-19 restrictions
Federal govt releases road map for easing COVID-19 restrictions
By Abolaji Adebayo
The Federal Government has released a road map to ease COVID-19 restrictions having sensed the impacts of the lockdown on some aspects of the economy.
The road map, obtained by ECHONEWS, is to be set out in five phases and would be on 3-week review process as the current phases would commence on the following dates:
Phase 1 – 18th May
Phase 2 – 8th June
Phase 3 – 29th June
Phase 4 – 20th July
Phase 5 – 10th August
According to the road map, if coronavirus cases begin to increase, the government may revert to the restrictions set out in the previous stage.
The analyses of the road map as released by the government are as follow:
PHASE 1
Phase 1 of the road map will lift the following restrictions:
Construction workers, landscape gardeners and other outdoor workers may return to work.
Garden centres, repair shops and hardware stores may reopen.
Fitness & sport activities (non-contact) in small groups (max of 4 people) may resume (golf included).
People may meet up with friends and family in small groups outdoors (size of a “small group” is defined as up to 4 people).
The majority of regular health services will resume.
Outdoor public amenities and tourism sites may reopen (beaches & mountain walks).
NOTE – social distancing guidelines will remain in operation for all.
PHASE 2
Phase 2 of the road map will lift the following restrictions:
Restriction will be extended from 5km to 20km.
Specific retail hours will be allocated for those currently cocooning.
Home visits will be allowed to those cocooning, by a small number of persons for a short period of time.
Up to 4 people may visit another household for a short period of time.
Slightly larger family gatherings at funerals will be permitted (limited to maximum safe social distancing can still be applied).
Solitary workers and workers that can maintain social distancing can return to work.
Small retail outlets that can control staff and customer numbers and maintain social distancing may reopen.
Public libraries will reopen.
Outdoor sporting activities, involving small group training (no matches) can recommenced (no contact still allowed).
PHASE 3
Phase 3 of the road map will lift the following restrictions:
Commence opening of creches and pre-schools for children of essential workers.
Commence a phased approach to visiting at hospitals and other healthcare settings.
Businesses where employees have low levels of daily interaction may reopen.
Phase in the opening of all other non-essential retail outlets, restricting customer numbers and applying social distancing (limited to retail outlets with street level entrance and exit, i.e. not in shopping centres).
Playgrounds will be reopened.
‘Behind closed doors’ sporting events may recommence.
Cafes and restaurants may reopen as long as social distancing is maintained.
PHASE 4
Phase 4 of the road map will lift the following restrictions:
Travel will be extended to outside of your region.
Larger household visits will be permitted.
Small social gatherings will be permitted (baptisms, small weddings etc.).
Creches and pre-schools will reopen for all other children.
Other employees return to work – beginning with those who cannot work remotely and then staggering the working times to ensure social distancing.
Barbers and hairdressers may reopen.
Museums and other cultural outlets may reopen.
Sports teams (GAA & soccer) may recommence and public swimming pools may reopen.
Hotels and other hospitality units may reopen based on limited occupancy. Hotel bars are to remain closed.
PHASE 5
Phase 5 of the roadmap will lift the following restrictions:
Social gatherings will be permitted except for large gathering and gatherings in households of suspect cases.
Schools and colleges will reopen on a phased basis and will recommence in the new academic year.
Normal hospital and other residential setting visits will be allowed.
All employees may return to work on normal onsite arrangements, except organisations that cannot maintain social distancing plans.
Enclosed shopping centres may reopen.
Tattoo and piercing parlors may reopen.
Cinemas may reopen.
Close contact physical sports may recommence (rugby, boxing etc.).
Gyms and dance studios may reopen.
Mass sporting events may recommence where social distancing can be maintained.
Indoor recreational venues may reopen (bowling, bingo etc.).
Small festivals and other outdoor cultural events may resume.
Tourist travel to offshore islands may resume.
