COVID-19 restrictions in Ireland are expected to remain as they are until at least the end of September, according to new government proposals for the reopening of the country.
As per the latest draft, which will be published at the end of the month, there won't be any major changes until Ireland's schools are back into full swing.
The Government wants to allow students a safe and undisrupted return to classrooms, and reopening society in a major way in September would threaten that.
As such, it will likely be October before we see any major restrictions changes regarding social distancing and public gatherings.
Confirmations and communions will be permitted next month, but it is unlikely that indoor live entertainment will be given the green light to resume.
Instead, a roadmap for the entertainment sector is likely to be published and a series of pilots for indoor arts events in venues and theatres will be held. A plan for reopening nightclubs is also being drafted, and this may include trial events.
The new plan is unlikely to see current restrictions on indoor or outdoor dining lifted in the short term.
Earlier this week, it was revealed that face masks are expected to remain a requirement in shops and on public transport in Ireland until Spring 2022.
According to the Irish Times, Ireland's new roadmap will focus less on nationwide restrictions and more on personal judgement and responsibility of individuals.
Although, this move would be heavily dependent on strict targets being met, such as the percentage of the population being vaccinated and the number of daily Covid-19 cases being reported.
