Ireland: Face masks compulsory on public transport as government further eases lockdown restrictions from June 29 /update 9

Event

As Ireland is due to enter phrase 3 of their plans to reopen the country as restrictions imposed due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic are further relaxed from Monday, June 29, face masks will be compulsory on public transport, restaurants, and shops. Barbershops, churches, theatres, cinemas, and gyms will also be allowed to reopen under certain hygiene conditions. People will also be allowed to resume domestic travel. By July 9, the government will publish a "green list" of countries to which people will be able to travel without having to undergo a 14-day self-quarantine period upon their return to Ireland.

On June 19, the Irish government extended travel restrictions and began requiring all those arriving in Ireland to undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine period. Arrivals are required to fill out a Passenger Locator Form on arrival and self-isolate for two weeks. Authorities may contact people to confirm they are following the required procedure.

Ireland is undergoing a four-stage plan to ease COVID-19 restrictions until July 20. On June 8, Ireland entered stage two of the plan, under which people are advised to remain within their county or up to 20 km (12 mi) from their homes. Exceptions for these restrictions can be made for travel to and from work if you are unable to work from home, to shop for essential goods, to attend medical appointments, to visit family for vital reasons, and to escape domestic violence. Groups of up to six people not from the same household are allowed to gather and social distancing should be maintained at all times.

As of Saturday, June 27, there have been 25,437 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland, with 1734 associated fatalities. Further international spread of the virus is expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Human-to-human and patient-to-medical staff transmission of the virus have been confirmed. Many of the associated fatalities have been due to pneumonia caused by the virus.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic.

Pneumonia symptoms include dry cough, chest pain, fever, and labored breathing. Pneumonia can be contagious and can be transmitted from human to human. The influenza virus, or the flu, is a common cause of viral pneumonia.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.