Ireland plans for Phased re-opening

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The Taoiseach (Irish PM) has announced tonight a 4 phase period for re-opening the country but has said that schools will remain closed until September.
Must admit, I’m happy about the delay as I was worried about how I’d manage DS attending school with his dad cocooning as DH has a blood cancer.
Also, that small social gatherings of friends can begin on 18th May outdoors, providing still maintaining social distancing rules. That’s really lifted my spirits as I’m missing seeing my friends.
Any other Irish mumsnetters on here?
What are your thoughts about tonight’s announcement?

I trust him.

The Schools one is the first indication that it may be the same for us. If that’s the case then it’s more working from home as someone is going to have to look after them.

I’m not in Ireland but I’m pleased to see hairdressing being classed as high risk which it most definitely is. Most sensible plan I’ve seen so far

Actually not sure if I read it right

There will be a gradual easing of restrictions for higher-risk services like hairdressers

Does anyone in Ireland know more about this please

I would be so excited to be able to see my friends again in small groups. I agree sept sounds a reasonable time to start back to school. I don’t think I know many people keen to go back sooner.

Its phased, so if its not working and numbers rise too quickly within 3 weeks, you return to the previous phase.

Hairdressing is high risk.

Hope this screenshot works.
If not, I will post link

5 stages to reopen. 3 weeks between each one. Each phase will be carefully monitored, with option to go back a stage if numbers increase too much.

Also from next Tues (Mon is bank hol), our 2km limit increases to 5km, and those who are cocooning (over 70s/at risk groups) can start to exercise away from home, while avoiding people still

Oh it is blurry... here is the link.
I think it is a sensible plan, and gives us something to work towards. Stick it out for another fortnight, rather than another "2 weeks and let's see"

www.gov.ie/en/news/58bc8b-taoiseach-announces-roadmap-for-reopening-society-and-business-and-u/?referrer=/roadmap/

Link here www.independent.ie/irish-news/coronavirus-a-full-look-at-irelands-roadmap-to-leaving-lockdown-39174420.html

Sounds like a pretty well thought out and comprehensive plan

sort of thing I'd like to see over here

Leo has made sensible decisions so far. Have a lot more respect for his style of leadership than Boris. I'm hopeful for this plan.

I wish the uk government would give us something similar, though I think ours will be fairly vague and still leave people in the dark. Is it likely we could potentially follow a similar plan though? Just thinking the uk number of deaths and infections are so much higher than Ireland’s. So could ours be more drawn out?

I’m not in Ireland, but you say seeing friends in small groups outside, what about family members? Or does that mean them too?

What will people do about going to work if schools and nurseries aren't open? What has your gov suggested?

Our government still haven't come up with a plan for childcare for essential (key) workers, so I doubt very much they have anything planned out for the rest of us parents... but it's good to see some sort of plan.

spongecake
Phase one includes "allow outdoor meetings between a maximum of 4 people from different households while maintaning social distancing (keeping at least 2 metres away from each other)" - so I take that as anyone from another house can meet you for eg a walk outdoors.

Then in phase 2, we can start visiting each other "allow visits to households (visits to those who arecocooningcan occur if all parties wear facemasks, gloves and maintain a distance of at least 2 metres away from each other)"

Do you think Leo being a doctor has been a good thing in all of this?

Also for non Irish Mumsnetters: Irish schools break up earlier than England. End of May. No schools end of June so I think that will influence school decisions in both jurisdictions m.

Generally it all sounds good, but what’s been said about if infection rates start to rise at any of the stages, are they planning to pull back the timescales if so?

Just read it, really interesting and sensible -sounding. Kinda wish I lived in Ireland!

I would assume that the chances of it going to plan - ie keeping to those initially published dates without any reversing of measures necessary, are small. But they are definitely allowing for that.

I suppose we have to bear in mind as well that it is based on the current scientific knowledge, which may well change in significant ways. That's why they call it a "living document".

Well done Ireland

It’s a bit daft - how can he expect people to return to work without childcare ie schools open

@hopeishere sorry I don't understand what you mean about the school year. Does it end at the end of May or June?

Yes I'd imagine having a doctor in charge is a very good thing!

DH is delighted that the pubs (subject to social distancing and effective cleaning) can re-open from August 10th. Its going to be a long summer, though!

@Sunnyhopefulness Irish secondary schools finish at the end of May, beginning of June anyway with primary schools finishing at the end of June so they'd be closed regardless.

@hopeishere

I think Varadkar being a doctor has made a massive difference. He can understand the data and look into it deeper by himself. Then he led the discussion on how to proceed. I really like the clear decisive way he has delivered important information too rather than the waffle we get in the UK.

More importantly, people trust him, on this issue even if they don't on others

Secondary schools finish at the end of May, primary at the end of June. I'm in Ireland and overall I think it's a good plan. He's just been on tv and admitted lots to work to do to achieve it but it's doable. I haven't been a fan of his in the past but I do think he's done as well as anybody could in this and I definitely think his medical background has helped.

Sorry. NI schools close end of June. RoI schools as per posters above.