Ireland is now in full Level 5 Covid-19 restrictions all over again.
From close of business on New Year’s Eve, gyms, golf courses and tennis clubs will close for “at least” one month.
The sharp rise in Covid-19 cases in Ireland, the North and UK has seen a number of additional restrictions around sports and sporting events.
Wednesday’s Tottenham v Fulham fixture was pulled with a few hours notice, while earlier this week Manchester City and Everton was scrapped four hours before kick off due to positive tests within the City camp.
These cases have less to calls from certain parts to introduce a ‘circuit breaker’ gap in games and training for top flight teams in football, rugby and other fields.
Circuit breakers aside, a return to full Level 5 measures in Ireland means further restrictions on training for teams and exercise for the rest of us. Gone are the training in pods, so too with group activities for children.
Training/Outdoor Sports
- People may meet with people from one other household in outdoor settings when taking exercise.
- No indoor or outdoor exercise group activities, including those involving children, should take place.
- Outdoor golf and tennis are not permitted.
- Individual training only. No exercise or dance classes. No indoor or outdoor gatherings involving “individual training” except for professional and elite sports.
Matches and events
- Professional, elite sports, horse racing, greyhound racing and approved equestrian events only are permitted to continue behind closed doors.
- No other matches or events are to take place.
Gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools
- Gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools must close from close of business on 31 December.
Additional measures including the closure of all non-essential retail, the barring of all household visits and the re-introduction of a 5km limit from home in which to take exercise all come into effect today.
Schools around the country also are delaying re-opening after Christmas holidays until 11 January.
