Monday 10 May is an important date in Ireland’s continued relaxing of Covid-19 restrictions.
In the past few weeks, we’ve seen the 5km travel limit lifted and in one of the biggest moves since before Christmas, inter-county travel will be permitted without restriction.
Need to get from Carlow to Cork? There won’t be anyone stopping you if you do.
When it comes to sport, what impact will this week’s lifting of restrictions mean?
The big one: Outdoor training resumes
While underage training outdoors has returned in recent weeks, Monday sees the return of outdoor training for adult groups, subject to pods of 15 people.
It’s also worth noting that contact training is permitted from Monday.
Per Sport Ireland, via the IRFU “from May 10th outdoor training for adults in pods of a maximum of 15 people can return. This includes contact training. On that basis, outdoor, contact training will also be permitted for those under the age of 18 in pods of a maximum of 15 people”.
Or translated – for both adults and underage grades (under 18), contact training outdoors will be permitted.
Breaking it down for Monday
- Inter-county travel is permitted
- Outdoor training for adults resumes
- Contact training (outdoors) for all age groups returns – strictly on an opt-in basis. Training can be, contact, non-contact or blended
- Inter-county senior challenge matches in hurling and football are permitted (and have been as of 5 May)
- For soccer, adult amateur and youth (U19 teams) will be returning to training.
- Certain professional, elite sports and approved equestrian events continue to be permitted behind closed doors.
- No other matches or events are to take place.
Schools and clubs should have already been undergoing contact readiness training.
What about gyms?
Gyms that are in a position to offer controlled outdoor training can do so from Monday 10 May.
In general, gyms will remain closed for indoor use but some personal trainers and gyms with the facilities (and open marquees) to facilitate small outdoor classes will begin doing so on Monday.
For others, it’s a wait until 7 June at which stage gyms and re-open for individual training only (no groups, no classes indoors).
What about matches?
Matches or events outside the realm of certain professional, elite sports or approved equestrian and greyhound events will continue behind closed doors. Beyond those, no other matches or events can take place until 7 June – including inter-county minor and U20 grades for Gaelic games.
What about sport shops?
Good of you to ask!
Sport shops for the most part have fallen into the “non-essential” retail bracket and have been closed since Christmas barring home delivery.
From Monday, sport shops locally will be able to operate on a click-and-collect basis for a week before opening their doors for business to the public from 17 May.