The government has decided today that, as of midnight on Wednesday 21 October, all of Ireland will be placed on Level 5 of the Plan for Living with COVID with a small number of exceptions as set out below. This action is based on current public health advice, the deteriorating situation with the disease across the country and the government’s objectives to support families by keeping schools and childcare facilities open, maintaining non-COVID health services and protecting the vulnerable. Level 5 restrictions will remain in place for a period of 6 weeks. Given the difficulties that these restrictions place on individuals and families across the State, the risk of job losses and of poverty and homelessness, the government has agreed that the moratorium on evictions be reinstated and that Pandemic Unemployment Payment and the Employee Wage Subsidy Scheme be amended to reflect these challenges.
Placing the country at Level 5 Restrictions will have the following implications:
FURTHER INFORMATION See the list of essential retailers here. See the list of essential services here. Essential purposes for travel (permitted outside 5km limit)
Exemption for funerals: Up to 25 mourners. Sports/Training/Matches No training or matches should take place, with the exception of professional, elite sports and inter-county Gaelic games, horse-racing and greyhound racing, which are being permitted to continue behind closed doors. Extended Household Concept In order to support those who risk isolation, such as single adult households and those who have shared parenting or shared custody arrangements; those living alone who have mental health challenges, or those living with partner with dementia for example, it will be possible for those in such circumstances to nominate one other household with whom they can mix. This will allow for social support beyond the caring exemptions already available. Amendments to PUP and EWSS We know the move to Level 5 will have a significant impact on businesses – we know many people will temporarily lose their jobs on Thursday As a result of the fact that businesses have to close we are making changes to the PUP and the EWSS The new payment structure for the PUP is as follows, with the rate of €350 restored to those who were earning in excess of €400 per week: Prior Weekly Earnings (Gross)PUP Payment
The EWSS is also being amended to align with the amendment to PUP. This means here will be 5 payment rates/bands as follows:
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