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The Roadmap to Reopening has proved to be a very fluid document to date. To move the Roadmap along even further, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has announced changes that will allow more businesses to reopen from next Monday, June 29th.
Childcare reopens
While the Government continues to recommend that all workers who can work from home should continue to do so, Phase 3 could see large parts of the workforce return to work. In an effort to allow more workers to return to onsite work, the childcare sector will fully reopen from June 29th. This includes créches, childminding facilities, pre-schools and summer camps.
More businesses reopen
Some businesses that were scheduled to reopen in Phase 4 have been pushed forward to Phase 3. The ‘higher risk’ businesses that may reopen on June 29th include:
- Wellbeing services like chiropractic, massage therapy, acupuncture, reflexology and homoeopathy.
- Hairdressers, barbers, nail and brow salons, beauty salons, spas, make-up application services, tanning, tattooing and piercing services.
- All remaining retail (for example, bookmakers), services and commercial activities.
- Indoor gyms and exercise facilities.
- Yoga, pilates and dance studios.
- Sports clubs and swimming pools.
- Theatres, concert halls and other cultural outlets.
- Cinemas, music venues (excluding nightclubs and discos), leisure facilities, bingo halls, arcades, skating rinks, amusements parks.
The following businesses were already scheduled to reopen on June 29th under the revised Roadmap:
- Cafés and restaurants providing on premises food and beverages.
- Pubs and hotel bars operating as restaurants.
- Museums, galleries.
- Hotels, hostels, caravan parks and holiday parks.
Restrictions on gatherings
All businesses must adhere to the following restrictions on gatherings that remain in place for the duration of Phase 3.
Indoor gatherings of up to 50 people and outdoor gatherings of up to 200 people are permissible so long as they comply with public health advice.
So, who’s left to reopen in Phase 4?
The economy looks set to fully reopen on July 20th when pubs, bars, hotel bars, nightclubs and casinos are permitted to reopen.
The restrictions on gatherings will also be increased to 100 indoors and 500 outdoors.
Return to work
The return to work poses many challenges for small businesses. Whether it’s dealing with anxious employees or complying with the Return to Work Safely Protocol, our expert advisors are available 24/7 to take your call.
