I have parents in Dublin but am in NI, may I ask some questions?

[Peonyinbloom]

I can never find a place that has all the actual rules and regulations on whats what at the minute in ROI. And my parents (80 & 90) take most of their info from Joe Duffy.
Is it actually 'against the law' to go to the shop if you are over 70yo? My parents haven't been out to the shops but mum really wanted to walk to Butlers Pantry the other day and was afraid she would be arrested.
Can you drive the 5km to exercise now?
Is their cleaner allowed to come to their house?
Thanks!

No it's not against the law :) It's against guidelines and they should find someone to shop for them but my dad is 76 and walks to the shop when they open and sees no one so I haven't thought that worth fighting with him.
Butlers are doing home delivery from some shops if they need, but they're small local and social distancing is operating so it's not the worst rule break I can think of.
They can walk or drive in the five km now. The cleaner shouldn't come. Are they finding it difficult to clean themselves? If the place is becoming a health hazard maybe the cleaner is essential and if they can maintain social distancing in the house while she's there might be worth considering,especially if she isn't seeing other clients at the minute.

Thanks Sudden. According to my mum someone said that an elderly man was stopped at the shops and driven home by the police because he was told he wasn't allowed out.
My DB does their shopping, but she always goes to Butlers usually for ready meals/cake etc. It only a short walk from them and they only let 2 in at a time etc.
They still live in the large family home, but have a cleaner for 5 hrs who does ironing etc too. She is a lovely lady and mum and dad would stay upstairs and vice versa whilst she cleaned, but mum doesn't want her to get in to trouble. They struggle with bedding/hoovering etc. They are getting on a right bit for doing a big house top to bottom.
So the cleaner could come if they were all happy with it? It isn't against the guidelines?

Also, what exactly is 'cocooning'? Is it voluntary or mandatory? My folks seem to think they are not allowed out at all for anything? I mean, they haven't anyway, but if really needed could they?

The HSE website has good information about cocooning.
www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/cocooning.html

Their cleaner might be ok to visit as it could be considered essentially carefor vulnerable people.

The advice says to avoid shops etc but it's not illegal. I also have elderly parents,75 and 82, who are as stubborn as hell. (They'll outlive us all like nuclear cockroaches ).

Thanks so much, very helpful.

It's advisory. And they can exercise (or go for a drive) within 5km of their house now (this is more enforceable, applies to everyone).

It does seem to depend on the garda if you get stopped but there are loads of over 70s shopping at my local everyday.

OP my parents are in their early 70s and no health issues thank goodness and they get the bus to Dunnes once a week and get shopping. Apparently good social distancing practiced on the bus and it's their only outing so they look forward to it.

It’s absolutely fine. My parents are late 70s and went to Lidl yesterday after cocooning for the last few weeks. Lots of over 70s out and about in my area (with good social distancing). They’re even running ads on the radio today highlighting that the parks in Dublin are reserved for over 70s between 1:30 and 3:30pm.

If they’re still worried about the cleaner and your budget stretches to it I completely recommend a roomba or other robot hoover. It has been a real hit with my parents - just press the button and let it do its thing.

My mum is raging about those ‘special’ hours int the park. She took dad there yesterday and said he was nearly knocked over, all the families out, Kidd in scooters and bikes. Dad isn’t able, at 90, to just nip out if he way. She said it was very busy, so they will just stick to their 11.30/12 md slot, as tends to be quieter.
Think mum is more afraid of going to the shop and giving it to dad. They just really want be to come down, and I just can’t wait until I can. But I’ll stay at 2m distance, clean the house for them, etc. It’s such a worry, if you have it to then you’d never forgive yourself.