Faced with the more contagious Omicron variant, Ireland is following the lead of many European countries by imposing new health restrictions… Unfortunately, these measures carry a hint of lockdown. On Friday, December 17, the government announced a list of measures aimed at slowing the virus’s spread… and they are not popular among the Irish.
Overview of New Restrictions in Ireland from December 20 to January 30, 2022
1. Pubs and Restaurants to Close by 8 PM
The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) was very clear: it is necessary to reduce the closing hours of restaurants and Irish pubs. Although NPHET recommended 5 PM, the Irish government decided to set the limit at 8 PM.
As a result, all restaurants and pubs in Ireland must close by 8 PM or face substantial fines. This rule takes effect from December 20 and will last at least until January 30.
Other public venues are also affected by this curfew: performance venues, theaters, gyms, cinemas, community centers… All will be subject to this closing time.
Delivery and takeaway services are exempt from this curfew and can continue operating beyond this hour. This is good news for Irish residents wanting food delivered to their homes.
2. Rules for Travelers
In his televised announcement, Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Micheál Martin stated that rules for travelers entering Ireland have changed very little (see our special guide here)… However, it is now recommended that every traveler take a daily antigen test for five days starting from the day of arrival.
This new measure is quite restrictive for many travelers.
3. Movement Restrictions Based on Vaccination Status
Regarding movement within Ireland, the Prime Minister indicated that Irish residents who received a booster less than a week ago are advised to take three antigen tests over five days and stay home as much as possible.
For those who have not yet received a booster, they must restrict their movements for 10 days. The HSE (Health Service Executive) will provide further guidance on the best testing regime for this group.
Finally, Irish people are urged to minimize social mixing. The current rule remains unchanged: a maximum of three households can gather within a fourth household. However, the government encourages everyone to get tested before Christmas to prevent a surge in cases like the one Ireland experienced last year.
Measures That Strongly Recall Last Year’s Lockdown
The Irish Fear a Step Backwards
While the rules starting Monday are still reasonable, they echo the situation Ireland faced in early 2021. The year-end holidays then caused a significant spike in cases, placing the country among the worst affected worldwide.
To regain control, Ireland imposed one of the strictest lockdowns, lasting several months. The government wants to avoid this at all costs by implementing more moderate rules designed to limit damage as much as possible.
