Cabinet approves 'significant reopening' of the country from next week

The Cabinet has signed off on the return of crowds at matches, open-air concerts, and other outdoor events from June 7

UK and US travel will resume on the same date as the EU, Transport Minister Eamon Ryan has confirmed. File picture: Larry Cummins

Cabinet has formally approved plans to allow a “significant re-opening” of the country from next week, Minister Eamon Ryan has confirmed.

Minister have given the green light to the futher re-open the country including a return to indoor hospitality and international travel.

Ministers, meeting at Dublin Castle, have signed off on plans which will see hotels and guesthouses re-open on June 2 and outdoor hospitality recommence on June 7.

UK and US travel will resume on the same date as the EU, Mr Ryan has also confirmed.

The changes will include the return of crowds at matches, open-air concerts, and other outdoor events from June 7.

However, pubs and restaurants will not be allowed to serve customers indoors until July 5, which has been met by strong criticism from hospitality sector representatives who have threatened legal action over the delay.

Cinemas have also been added to the June 7 reopening list.

Hotels and guesthouses have been given the green light to reopen from June 2.

It is anticipated that the numbers of people permitted to attend open-air events will increase on a phased basis over the summer. 

This could open up the possibility of crowds of 5,000 at Croke Park for Championship games as well as concerts and other events.

In terms of sports events, fans will be allowed into a number of events from June 11, sources have said.

These include:

• Leinster's Pro14 tie with Dragons at the RDS; 
• Shamrock Rovers v Finn Harps at the Tallaght Stadium; 
• Cork City v Cabinteely at Turner's Cross.

These expanded sporting events will also take in the camogie league finals in Croke Park on June 20 and the Irish Derby Meeting in the Curragh over the weekend of June 25.

These events will be allowed more spectators than the 200 indicated, though an exact figure is not yet known.

Consideration is also being given to allowing as many as 20,000 people attend events in Croke Park from July, including the Leinster Hurling final.

Vaccines

Also entering Cabinet, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said the delay in delivery of certain vaccines has not held up the planned reopening.

The Cabinet is also expected to announce the date Ireland will sign up to the EU digital green cert, which will clear the way for international travel to recommence.

It is likely to be mid-July before people are allowed to go abroad on holidays or leave the country for non-essential purposes.

It is expected that travel will resume on July 19.