Easing of restrictions on gatherings and in school activities
General gathering limits will increase from 10 to 20 people, and organised sports, swimming and fitness activities will be permitted, as well as the performing arts, and ski resorts can reopen. In schools, the social distancing rule at all levels will be reduced from 2 metres to 1 metre, and children in nurseries and primary schools will be permitted to take part in organised sports, youth and leisure activities.
COVID-19: Easing of social gathering restrictions and in school activities from 15 April
General gathering limits will increase from 10 to 20 people, and organised sports, swimming and fitness activities will be permitted, as well as the performing arts, and ski resorts can reopen. In schools, the social distancing rule will be reduced from 2 metres to 1 metre at all levels, and children in nurseries and primary schools will be permitted to take part in organised sports, youth and leisure activities again. This is the main outline of the easing of public health measures that the Minister of Health presented at the Cabinet meeting today, and which are in line with the recommendations of the Chief Medical Officer. Regulations concerning the changes are being drafted and will be published later today. They are expected to remain in place for 3 weeks.
See the announcement on the website of the Cabinet Office.
A memorandum from the Director of Public Health states that since border measures were last tightened, including a requirement for testing for children and tourists with proof of vaccination or previous infection, and increased monitoring of those in quarantine or isolation, the number of daily infections has decreased. This has succeeded in preventing a larger outbreak or the spread of infections. However, the Chief Medical Officer points out that it has not been possible to eradicate the virus from the community. The utmost caution must continue to be exercised due to the high level of transmission in neighbouring countries and new variants of the virus. The strictest caution at the borders is the key to easing restrictions domestically. The situation in hospitals is good; only one patient is currently in hospital with COVID-19 and long over 90% of those aged 70 and over have been vaccinated, as the chief medical officer points out, but he stresses that the easing of restrictions should be approached slowly while good control of infections at the borders is being achieved and the number in the group vaccinated.
Key changes to general social gathering restrictions:
Essentially, comparable restrictions on gatherings will be in place, effective from 5th February. People are reminded of the importance of observing social distancing and following the rules.
- General gathering restrictions will be 20 people.
- Swimming pools and bathing facilities, and health and fitness centres, are permitted to open to 50% of their maximum permitted capacity, subject to other conditions.
- Training sessions and competitions for children and adults, with or without contact, in all sports are permitted, without spectators. The maximum number of adults will be 50 people, while the number of children is subject to the same restrictions as for school activities.
- Ski areas are permitted to accept 50% of the maximum reception capacity of each area.
- Performing arts, including choir activities, are permitted for up to 50 people on stage and 100 seated guests per room, subject to other conditions.
- The maximum number for ceremonies of religious and belief organisations remains 30 people, but increases to 100 people for funerals.
- All shops are permitted to admit 5 customers per 10 m², up to a maximum of 100 people, in addition to 20 staff in the same space as the customers.
- Entertainment venues, pubs, casinos and slot machines are permitted to open under the same conditions as restaurants where the service of alcohol is permitted.
- Practical driving and flying lessons with an instructor are permitted.
Changes in school activities:
The Ministry of Health is working on a new regulation to restrict school activities from 15 April, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Culture. In principle, the existing rules will remain unchanged, except that the proximity limit will be 1 metre instead of 2, and children in nurseries and primary schools will be permitted to take part in sports, youth and leisure activities.