Yesterday, after much anticipation, the Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Micheál Martin announced the easing of COVID-19 restrictions starting December 1st:
- Most places will be allowed to re-open up this next week, but with some social distancing “restrictive/protective measures” — including retail shops, restaurants, museums, gyms, barbers/hairdressers and churches.
- New mask guidelines — people will be asked to wear their masks outdoors on “busy streets, within crowded indoor workplaces and in places of worship.” Up until now, masks have only been required in shops.
- Pubs not serving food won’t be allowed to re-open other than providing takeaway drinks. This is a big disappointment to publicans and many folks, although apparently the government will be providing some additional monetary support to help keep them afloat.
- No visitors to your home and no travel outside of county until Dec 18; basically the idea is trying to limit close contact with other households as much as possible until the week before Christmas.
It’s been mostly a homebody day for me, although I was motivated to get out this afternoon to buy some new pillows. The ones that came with the apartment are flat and uncomfortable, and they’re probably at least partially to blame for why I’ve been waking up with a sore neck and back. I had taken notice of a place in The Liberties neighborhood called “Homestore Direct” that sells bedding, curtains, cookware, and other household items. Apparently these are all considered “essential” items and so the shop has been allowed to stay open during the Level 5 restrictions.
I head out of the apartment and turn right on Dame Street heading west towards Christ Church. It’s a chilly but clear day. The clouds have just begun to take on their twilight colors. There seems to be lots of people out and about on the streets. At the front of Homestore Direct are a couple of stacks of pillows. The nicer option are labeled as “hotel quality” non-allergenic pillows that look better than what I have at the apartment, but they’re only €7 for a set of two, so I’m somewhat skeptical. We’ll see how well they work out tonight!
Until next time…
