Covid-19 – crowd limit to be 50 people from 24 February

General crowd limits will be 50 people under new rules on gathering restrictions which come into effect on 24 February. A maximum of 200 customers will be permitted in shops, museums, churches and at certain events. Swimming pools and ski areas will be permitted to admit 75% of their maximum capacity. The same applies to health and fitness centres, where the maximum number of people per room is also set at 50. Spectators will now be permitted at sporting events. This is the main content of the easing of the gathering restrictions that the Minister of Health has decided to implement in accordance with the recommendations of the Director of Public Health. The new regulation on gathering restrictions due to the pandemic is valid until 17 March.

See the announcement on the website of the Cabinet Office.

Unchanged rules on the use of face coverings and the 2-metre social distancing rule as the main guideline.

A regulation by the Minister of Health, which came into effect on 8 February, made cautious relaxations to the gathering restrictions and was due to remain in force until 3 March. In light of the favourable domestic situation, the Director of Public Health considers it safe to make further relaxations now, as border measures have been tightened to further reduce the risk of transmission from abroad. Few domestic infections have been detected recently, and these have been among people who were already in quarantine. No infections outside of quarantine have been detected since 1 February. The Chief Medical Officer for Public Health says it is not possible to claim the country is „virus-free“ and urges people to remain cautious and to maintain good hygiene.

The rules on the use of face coverings will remain unchanged, and the 2-metre social distancing rule will continue to be the main guideline, although with certain exceptions as detailed below.

Capacity limits are increasing from 20 to 50 people, but with exceptions:

Museums and shops: Customers may be up to 200, instead of the previous 150, provided the regulations on the number of fermenters are met. The 2-metre social distancing rule and the requirement to wear a face covering remain in force.

Events where guests sit: Up to 200 people may attend ceremonies of religious and belief organisations, performing arts, cultural and sporting events, conferences, lectures and similar events, provided that all of the following conditions are met.

• The permitted proximity between unconnected individuals is now 1 metre, subject to conditions.
• Guests must not sit opposite each other unless they are more than two metres apart.
• The attendance of all guests must be recorded, stating their name, national insurance number and telephone number.
• Everyone must wear a face covering and ensure that the distance between unconnected individuals is greater than 1 metre.
• Pauses between performances are permitted, but the serving and sale of alcohol at events is not allowed.
• Crowd formation must be prevented, both before and after the event and during the interval.

Attention! If any of the above conditions cannot be met, the rule of a maximum of 50 people at the event applies.

Spectators at sporting events: Spectators are permitted at sporting events. Spectators may number up to 200 people, provided that all the above conditions for seated events can be met. If spectators are standing, a maximum of 50 people applies.

Swimming and bathing places: The number of guests may be 75% of the permitted maximum.

Health and fitness centres: The number of guests may be 75% of the permitted maximum. In each room, a maximum of 50 people may now be present.

Ski area: It is permitted to accept 75% of the maximum reception capacity of each area.

Restaurants where alcohol is served: The maximum permitted number in the premises will be 50 people. New customers may be admitted until 22:00, but they must all have left the premises by 23:00.

• Memorandum from the Chief Medical Officer
• The regulation