The Irish government presented its plan on Friday November 27 to allow the Irish to come out of their second lockdown on December 1 and then spend Christmas with their family, despite the second wave of the coronavirus.
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“
The efforts and sacrifices of each of us have worked.
Lives have been saved
", welcomed Prime Minister Micheal Martin on Irish public radio and television RTE, which is why"
from December 1, we will return
"to less severe restrictions to curb the spread of the virus .
"
By making them more flexible, we are going as far as possible to find the best balance between health, economic and social considerations,
" he added.
Masks in the streets
The Irish government announced in mid-October a second national six-week lockdown, during which all non-essential businesses are closed, visits between homes banned, but schools remain open.
From December 1, museums, galleries, cinemas, libraries and places of worship will be able to reopen, as will non-essential stores, gyms and swimming pools, but only for individual training.
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Irish people will now be required to wear masks in crowded streets and work environments, as well as in places of worship.
Restaurants and pubs that serve food will be able to welcome customers again from December 4, but not seat people from different households at the same table, who are still prohibited from mixing.
This major restriction, such as the ban on traveling outside his county or abroad (except for work), will however be lifted from December 18 to January 6, for a wide period covering the end of year holidays, the government said.
Up to three fireplaces can then meet inside.
"
It will not be the kind of Christmas we are used to, but it will be a very special time where we can all enjoy a little respite from the difficulties of 2020, and these last weeks in particular.
Mr. Martin said.
This Christmas truce will end on January 7, and the country will then revert to the restrictions in effect before December 18,
frequently
"
reassessed
" according to the evolution of the pandemic, which has already killed more than 2,000 people in the country.
