Ireland’s Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions are easing.
Have been under the top tier of restrictions since October, the country is gearing up to move to Level 3, with some additions, from 1 December.
But what does it all mean for sport?
Irish sport in Level 3 restrictions
So – until 18 December at least – people are still to stay within their own county. Golf courses are set to reopen, tennis courts tooo will resume service. Gyms are allowed open once more but for individual training only – meaning there can be no group sessions or classes.
Non-contact training can continue outdoors in podcast of up to 15 – this extends ro soccer, outdoor basketball, horse riding, hunting and more. Per the Government’s guide to living with Covid, there is an exemption for professional and elite sports and approved inter-county Gaelic games.
In the same vein as gyms, exercise classes cannot continue at present indoors. Similarly, there’s no dance classes, ballet, gymnastics, racketball, squash, zumba or drama.
Matches and events
Under level 3 restrictions, mo matches or other sporting events should take place, barring the following exceptions
- professional and elite sports
- approved inter-county Gaelic games
- horse racing and greyhound racing
- approved equestrian events
- approved coursing events
While the exempt events can take place, they still have to take place behind closed doors.
Leisure centres are also set to reopen, swimming pools included, again for individual use – no classes – with safety measures in place.
Most facilities will require the booking of individual one-hour blocks.
From 18 December, however, it is anticipated that given you can now travel outside your own county, that inter-county golf and riding events can take place, subject to safety restrictions.
