January 2021 - Your Restrictions Q&A Megathread

Beasty

Here we go again - Lockdowm or not, we're all back in Level 5 from midnight

Further details here

The good news is there is no Level 6, so in 2021 the only way is down.....

.....or so we think. Let's see what the new year brings

danielgalway

Hi all,

Wanted to get some thoughts here as I can't seem to find much online regarding my situation. We've just moved to level 5 restrictions with a 5km travel limit. Northern Ireland is also currently on quite strict restrictions.

I'm due to be moving job in February, moving from Galway to Belfast. I'd be going to Belfast at the end of January to look for a place to live. I'll be working remotely from my house in belfast.

My grandparents house is currently vacant, so I was going to go up, stay there for 2 weeks and look for a place to live while there, then move straight in whenever I secure a place.

Is it a good idea to move in the current circumstances with Covid restrictions? If I was to receive a letter from my employer as proof of me moving and starting a new job, would this be sufficient proof and a valid reason if I was to be stopped by a garda/policeman?

Charles Babbage

I imagine that you can move house as long as you stay there.

Beasty

Threads merged

Qwerty77

I understand no gatherings are allowed, even in gardens etc, but I’ve some stuff to deliver & pick up from family (within the designated distance) - is this now also off bounds? Do I need to wear a Hazmat suit?

yamaha4life

Qwerty77 wrote: »

I understand no gatherings are allowed, even in gardens etc, but I’ve some stuff to deliver & pick up from family (within the designated distance) - is this now also off bounds? Do I need to wear a Hazmat suit?

I doubt the hazmat suit is required, during first lockdown i did shopping for a family quarantining droped it at door and left. Just didnt stay for a chat etc

Psychedelic Hedgehog

Yeah, that'd be fine I think, just don't stay for an overly extended chat.

WoollyRedHat

Qwerty77 wrote: »

I understand no gatherings are allowed, even in gardens etc, but I’ve some stuff to deliver & pick up from family (within the designated distance) - is this now also off bounds? Do I need to wear a Hazmat suit?

So long as you have document confirming delivery/pickup, siigned by your local priest, then Bob's your uncle.

Beasty

Threads merged

Fogmatic

I've searched in vain for any mention of over-70s in todays new policy. Does that mean we can continue to 'exercise judgement' re essential shopping, going outside 5km if necessary?

(Perhaps I should explain that I simply need to know one way or the other; further discussion is always interesting of course, but however good the advice out there is, not all of it's possible to follow in my case).

Jim_Hodge

Anybody got an up to date list of what are essential workers?

Beasty

Threads merged

Beasty

Updated restrictions here

Over 70's guidance

angela1711

Well any idea as to when the government is going to update their list ?

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/3bd76-essential-workers-at-level-5/

I am reading conflicting information what is says here https://www.leinsterexpress.ie/news/coronavirus/600140/an-updated-list-of-essential-workers-who-can-leave-home-on-during-the-january-level-5-lockdown.html for instance is completely different to what's written here https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/c9158-essential-services/.

I'd say the last link is the old list of essential workers even though it says last updated on 6th of January.
When I originally looked at the first link yesterday it was pretty much as restrictive as we had back in the March lock down.

VonLuck

I know that mechanics will be open as they say that "Outlets providing for the repair and maintenance of mechanically propelled vehicles" are essential. But they also say "You should only leave your home if you have a 'reasonable excuse' for doing so."

I assume going to a mechanic is a reasonable excuse, even though it's not in their list, right?
https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/health/covid19/public_health_measures_for_covid19.html#l053b3

angela1711

Mechanics seem to be removed from the essential retail list according to this:

Repair and installation of Machinery and Equipment
- the supply, repair and installation of machinery and equipment and industrial machinery and equipment for essential services

angela1711

angela1711 wrote: »

Mechanics seem to be removed from the essential retail list according to this:

Repair and installation of Machinery and Equipment
- the supply, repair and installation of machinery and equipment and industrial machinery and equipment for essential services

Gov.ie said the same thing yesterday before it was removed for updating.

VonLuck

angela1711 wrote: »

Mechanics seem to be removed from the essential retail list according to this:

Repair and installation of Machinery and Equipment
- the supply, repair and installation of machinery and equipment and industrial machinery and equipment for essential services

Where did you read that? The below explicitly says that mechanics can stay open. See point 12.

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/60ecc-essential-retail-outlets-for-level-5/

angela1711

VonLuck wrote: »

Where did you read that? The below explicitly says that mechanics can stay open. See point 12.

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/60ecc-essential-retail-outlets-for-level-5/

That's an old list you are looking at it was last updated on the 31/12.

From Department of the Taoiseach
Published on 14 October 2020
Last updated on 31 December 2020

angela1711

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/3bd76-essential-workers-at-level-5/

New one is currently being updated. This is the most recent thing that I could find an-updated-list-of-essential-workers-who-can-leave-home-on-during-the-january-level-5-lockdown

angela1711

Sorry I never posted the link:
https://www.leinsterexpress.ie/news/coronavirus/600140/an-updated-list-of-essential-workers-who-can-leave-home-on-during-the-january-level-5-lockdown.html

VonLuck

angela1711 wrote: »

That's an old list you are looking at it was last updated on the 31/12.

From Department of the Taoiseach
Published on 14 October 2020
Last updated on 31 December 2020

I assume it's still current. It explicitly says it's the "list of essential retail outlets at Level 5" so just because it hasn't been updated in a week doesn't necessarily mean it's outdated. It's all the public has to work with at the moment.

How do you know there's a new one being updated?

Fogmatic

Beasty wrote: »

Updated restrictions here

Over 70's guidance

Thanks!
Looks like I'd better keep checking the sites for updates though (with even such pivotal services as creches suffering confusion!).

VonLuck

angela1711 wrote: »

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/3bd76-essential-workers-at-level-5/

New one is currently being updated. This is the most recent thing that I could find an-updated-list-of-essential-workers-who-can-leave-home-on-during-the-january-level-5-lockdown

Hmm. That's essential workers which I guess should correlate with essential retail outlets.

angela1711 wrote: »

Sorry I never posted the link:
https://www.leinsterexpress.ie/news/coronavirus/600140/an-updated-list-of-essential-workers-who-can-leave-home-on-during-the-january-level-5-lockdown.html

Interesting. NCT centres still seem to be operating so I imagine mechanics would also need to be open to? Will have to wait and see I guess.

Are all these changes coming into effect from Friday?

angela1711

How do you know there's a new one being updated?[/QUOTE]

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/3bd76-essential-workers-at-level-5/

cython

angela1711 wrote: »

That's an old list you are looking at it was last updated on the 31/12.

From Department of the Taoiseach
Published on 14 October 2020
Last updated on 31 December 2020

That poster's link (https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/60ecc-essential-retail-outlets-for-level-5/) now bears the following:

From Department of the Taoiseach

Published on 14 October 2020

Last updated on 7 January 2021

And still includes reference to garages remaining in the list of essential businesses. At the same time, your link is still reported as being updated - confusion abounds?

ThunbergsAreGo

So is this meant to be all teachers, or only those attending school physically?

"Schools

Certain education provision such as teaching, SNA support and other services required to support the delivery of the education related services being provided under Level 5. "

VonLuck

cython wrote: »

That poster's link (https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/60ecc-essential-retail-outlets-for-level-5/) now bears the following:

And still includes reference to garages remaining in the list of essential businesses. At the same time, your link is still reported as being updated - confusion abounds?

That list has also now been updated and confirms garages will remain open:

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/c9158-essential-services/?referrer=http://www.gov.ie/en/publication/3bd76-essential-workers-at-level-5/#supply-repair-and-installation-of-machinery-and-equipment

poollad

Can someone explain to me if creches are currently open or when do these restrictions kick in? We have received no communication from our creche and they appeared to be operating as normal this morning.

dubrov

poollad wrote: »

Can someone explain to me if creches are currently open or when do these restrictions kick in? We have received no communication from our creche and they appeared to be operating as normal this morning.

Just ring them.
The rules are fairly grey and each creche has a different take on it.

foozzybear61

I work on a community employment scheme for the last few years .
its a front line job with an organization that provides supports to adults with intellectual disabilities . I have asked my supervisor if there were any plans to halt these hours I do as in the first wave in March and got a very curt reply basically saying I will tell you when you need to know. I know people on other schemes with far less personal contacts than us being told to stay at home
Given the scheme is supported by social welfare and government is saying reduce your contacts and travel I find this counterproductive ,
Anyone else know of similar

ShineOn7

Are kids still going to be allowed do GAA training?

Another example of one rule for the GAA and another for everyone else?

Responder XY

The 5km rule only applies to exercise. you can travel as far as you need to once it's for an allowable purpose. Collecting a bike would be allowable

salmocab

Responder XY wrote: »

The 5km rule only applies to exercise. you can travel as far as you need to once it's for an allowable purpose. Collecting a bike would be allowable

Although I think click and collect is not allowed at the moment anyway.

Van.Bosch

Responder XY wrote: »

The 5km rule only applies to exercise. you can travel as far as you need to once it's for an allowable purpose. Collecting a bike would be allowable

Agreed - if the shop is deemed essential enough to be open, my logic is it’s reasonable to travel to it.

markjbloggs

No, it is clearly not allowable under the present restrictions. Why do you think these limits are placed on a population?

The self-entitlement of cyclists......

funnydoggy

markjbloggs wrote: »

No, it is clearly not allowable under the present restrictions. Why do you think these limits are placed on a population?

The self-entitlement of cyclists......

Not sure if serious..

RugbyLad11

markjbloggs wrote: »

No, it is clearly not allowable under the present restrictions. Why do you think these limits are placed on a population?

The self-entitlement of cyclists......

What about a car? Can someone travel to pickup their new car?

Donald Trump

RugbyLad11 wrote: »

What about a car? Can someone travel to pickup their new car?

Only if they go on their bike.

Responder XY

markjbloggs wrote: »

No, it is clearly not allowable under the present restrictions. Why do you think these limits are placed on a population?

The self-entitlement of cyclists......

Either a troll or a very bad joke - poor effort.

markjbloggs

Responder XY wrote: »

Either a troll or a very bad joke - poor effort.

OK then, i'll bite - why is this a joke, bearing in mind your comment along the lines of "Collecting a bike would be allowable".

Misguided1

Responder XY wrote: »

The 5km rule only applies to exercise. you can travel as far as you need to once it's for an allowable purpose. Collecting a bike would be allowable

As long as you are travelling within your county

Responder XY

because bike shops have been deemed esential.

cython

Misguided1 wrote: »

As long as you are travelling within your county

Username is apt. In reality once travel can pass as being essential, there is no limit of 5km, county boundaries, or anything else in that vein. County travel limit essentially does not exist in Level 5

Misguided1

cython wrote: »

Username is apt.

Was that comment really necessary:rolleyes:

Tenzor07

markjbloggs wrote: »

The self-entitlement of cyclists......

You're dead right! Only yesterday I seen one of them lycralouts, now I can't be sure but he had a look that said "I'm outside my 5k"....:eek:

anewme

RugbyLad11 wrote: »

What about a car? Can someone travel to pickup their new car?

If it is a pre- order they can collect it, ie order forms before new regulations. If it is a new order, then the Dealership must deliver.

Repairs of cars are essential and aftersales open as normal.

cruizer101

Someone asked can you pickup a new car, cars can be essential e.g. car is broken and need a new one.
Similarly bikes could be essential, if you are an essential worker and commute by bike and your own bike is broken beyond repair then buying a new bike is essential.
Because of this certain thing like bike shops which aren't essential for the vast majority are still open as they are potentially essential for some.
Ideally people would use common sense, the guidance is only make essential journeys, if someone just fancies getting a new bike that is not really essential and they shouldn't go.

Responder XY

cruizer101 wrote: »

Someone asked can you pickup a new car, cars can be essential e.g. car is broken and need a new one.
Similarly bikes could be essential, if you are an essential worker and commute by bike and your own bike is broken beyond repair then buying a new bike is essential.
Because of this certain thing like bike shops which aren't essential for the vast majority are still open as they are potentially essential for some.
Ideally people would use common sense, the guidance is only make essential journeys, if someone just fancies getting a new bike that is not really essential and they shouldn't go.

This is completely right. The OP did say the bike was essential to him, so taking them at their word they are well within their rights to collect it.

AndrewJRenko

cruizer101 wrote: »

Ideally people would use common sense, the guidance is only make essential journeys, if someone just fancies getting a new bike that is not really essential and they shouldn't go.

Same for all shopping presumably, if someone just fancies a takeaway dinner from their local Indian or Chinese or just fancies a bottle of wine or slab of beer from their offey or fancies the nice bread from their M&S, none of these are essential so they shouldn't go?

OP - the 5km limit is nothing to do with shopping. It only applies to exercise.

Beasty

Threads merged