Gatherings of over 5,000 people to be banned until September

All mass gathering of over 5000 people will be banned until September 1st under plans set to be announced by the Government due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

Government sources said local authorities will be told not to grant licences for large events in this period due to the coronavirus crisis.

It is understood the decision was taken by Ministers at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday morning. The decision will mean major concerts and other events will have to be cancelled or rearranged. Although sporting events are not covered by licences they are also likely to be cancelled in the coming weeks.

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Separately Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he hopes to be able to announce the lifting of some restrictions on May 5th. However he said he did not want to give false assurances and it would depend on the rate of virus, capacity in hospitals and testing and tracing.

Mr Varadkar said the Government wanted to open up areas of the most benefit to the economy and society but the least risk. Speaking on RTE’s Prime Time Mr Varadkar said he would encourage industry and businesses to think about what they would do to implement social distancing if they were told they could open their facilities.

Earlier the Government said it would give further health advice before current restrictions end on May 5th.

“However, there are a number of largescale future events which require licensing and the involvement of the HSE and Garda Síochána, and public consultation in that licensing process which fall to be determined in advance of that by local authorities.”
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“While the issue of restrictions on future mass gatherings is a decision to be taken by the NPHET, in the case of these particular events, and taking account of the impacts on the integrity of the licensing process in the short-term due to restrictions on stakeholder involvement, local authorities have been advised by Government that event promoters should be informed that events requiring licences in excess of 5,000 will not be considered for the period up to the end of August.”

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