The Government has moved the entire country to Covid-19 Level 5 restrictions from 24th December 2020 until 12th January 2021. Travel restrictions mean anglers must stay in their own county.
The Government has published a medium-term strategy Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19. Ireland is currently at Level 5.
Inland Fisheries Ireland offers the following information to anglers as a guideline only. Government advice to stop the spread of coronavirus is BE RESPONSIBLE, BE SAFE.
Visiting international anglers should refer to government guidelines ‘Arriving to Ireland from another country’ for up-to-date advice.
Level 5 (with some adjustments) is in place from Christmas Eve
Level 5 restrictions apply to all counties from midnight on 24 December until 12 January 2021.
Special arrangements on travel and meeting with people are in place over the Christmas period. There are also some specific adjustments to level 5 restrictions.
The current restrictions on travel from Great Britain (England, Scotland or Wales) to Ireland will stay in place until at least 31 December. There are also additional requirements for travellers coming to Ireland from Britain who must self-isolate for 14 days.
Special arrangements for Christmas
24 December (Christmas Eve) |
25 December (Christmas Day) |
26 December (Saint Stephen’s Day) |
27 December |
1 January (New Year’s Day) |
You can meet up to 2 other households in your home or garden. |
You can meet up to 2 other households in your home or garden. |
You can meet up to 2 other households in your home or garden. |
You can meet up to 1 other household in your home or garden. |
No social or family gatherings allowed. You can meet 1 other household in an outdoor setting, such as a park. |
Nursing home visits are restricted to one visit by one person per week, other than in critical and compassionate circumstances. |
After midnight 24 December visits to nursing homes or residential care facilities are suspended, except in critical and compassionate circumstances. |
After midnight 24 December visits to nursing homes or residential care facilities are suspended, except in critical and compassionate circumstances. |
After midnight 24 December visits to nursing homes or residential care facilities are suspended, except in critical and compassionate circumstances. |
After midnight 24 December visits to nursing homes or residential care facilities are suspended, except in critical and compassionate circumstances. |
You can travel outside your county. |
You can travel outside your county. |
You can travel outside your county. |
Do not travel outside your county, except for essential reasons or to return home after Christmas. |
Do not travel outside your county, except for essential reasons or to return home after Christmas. |
Restaurants, cafes and pubs that serve food must close at 3pm. |
Restaurants, cafes and pubs that serve food are closed. |
Restaurants, cafes and pubs that serve food are closed. |
Restaurants, cafes and pubs that serve food are closed. |
Restaurants, cafes and pubs that serve food are closed. |
Hotel guests who already have a booking can check in. |
Hotel guests who already have a booking can check in. |
Hotel guests who already have a booking can check in. |
Hotels can only accept bookings to support essential services. They can provide services to guests already checked in before 26 December. |
Hotels can only accept bookings to support essential services. They can provide services to guests already checked in before 26 December. |
Christmas religious services can take place. |
Christmas religious services can take place. |
Religious services are online. Religious venues can open for private prayer only. |
Religious services are online. Religious venues can open for private prayer only. |
Religious services are online. Religious venues can open for private prayer only. |
Up to 25 people can attend a funeral. |
Up to 10 people can attend a funeral. |
Up to 10 people can attend a funeral. |
Up to 10 people can attend a funeral. |
Up to 10 people can attend a funeral. |
25 people can attend a wedding. |
25 people can attend a wedding. |
25 people can attend a wedding. |
25 people can attend a wedding. |
25 people can attend a wedding. From 3 January, only 6 people can attend a wedding. |
Non-essential shops hairdressers, barbers and beauticians can stay open. |
Non-essential shops can stay open. Hairdressers, barbers and beauticians must close. |
Non-essential shops can stay open. Hairdressers, barbers and beauticians must close. |
Non-essential shops can stay open. Hairdressers, barbers and beauticians must close. |
Non-essential shops can stay open. Hairdressers, barbers and beauticians must close. |
Museums, galleries and cinemas can stay open. |
Museums, galleries and cinemas must close. |
Museums, galleries and cinemas must close. |
Museums, galleries and cinemas must close. |
Museums, galleries and cinemas must close. |
Gyms, leisure centres and pools are closed. |
Gyms, leisure centres and pools can stay open for individual training only. |
Gyms, leisure centres and pools can stay open for individual training only. |
Gyms, leisure centres and pools can stay open for individual training only. |
Gyms, leisure centres and pools can stay open for individual training only. |
Non-contact training in pods of up to 15 may take place outdoors. |
Non-contact training in pods of up to 15 may take place outdoors. |
Non-contact training in pods of up to 15 may take place outdoors. |
Non-contact training in pods of up to 15 may take place outdoors. |
Non-contact training in pods of up to 15 may take place outdoors. |
No matches or events should take place except for professional and elite sports. |
No matches or events should take place except for professional and elite sports. |
No matches or events should take place except for professional and elite sports. |
No matches or events should take place except for professional and elite sports. |
No matches or events should take place except for professional and elite sports. |
Horse racing and greyhound racing take place behind closed doors. |
Horse racing and greyhound racing take place behind closed doors. |
Horse racing and greyhound racing take place behind closed doors. |
Horse racing and greyhound racing take place behind closed doors. |
Horse racing and greyhound racing take place behind closed doors. |
During level 5 restrictions, only essential workers can travel to work. People working in non-essential shops and retail services can travel to work under the exceptions announced on 22 December.
Sporting events are permitted in Level 1 and Level 2 with restrictions. Competitions are NOT permitted at Levels 3-5. Organisers are advised to ensure that their events comply with Government guidelines specific to the level in operation and location of their events, and the advice of their governing body and Sport Ireland on running competitions safely.
General Guidance for everyone
- Follow Government protocols and public health guidelines.
- Observe physical distancing by keeping at least 2 metres apart, if not possible wear a face covering.
- Park legally and responsibly if driving to outdoor amenities.
- Respect our emergency services and avoid activities that could potentially lead to emergency call outs.
- Respect the environment, animals & wildlife and dispose of waste properly.
- Travel separately, unless from the same household and visit outdoor areas at off peak times if possible.
All Anglers
Follow up-to-date Government advice, however changes to Government advice may result in amendments to this information.
Competitions are NOT permitted at Levels 3-5. Clubs should consult with their governing body and Sport Ireland guidelines on running competitions safely.
To stay safe, anglers should follow public health guidelines:
- STAY home if you have symptoms
- Hand Hygiene
- Cough Etiquette
- Physical Distancing 2m
Boat Anglers
Max 2 persons in small boats to comply with physical distancing (unless from same household). Remember to maintain physical distancing on board and at slipways and access points.
Guides & Ghillies and instructors
During level 5 restrictions, only essential workers can travel to work. People working in non-essential shops and retail services can travel to work under the exceptions announced on 22 December.
If engaged in coaching:
Refer to Government’s ‘Return to Work Safely Protocol’.
- Maintain physical distancing at all times.
- Use a dummy rod set up to explain techniques, no sharing of cars or equipment.
- Ensure one person ties all knots, lands all fish and handles their own equipment only.
- Weighing and/or photographing of fish should be carried out with physical distancing.
- All payments should be made electronically where possible.
Charter Boat Owners
During level 5 restrictions, only essential workers can travel to work. People working in non-essential shops and retail services can travel to work under the exceptions announced on 22 December.
If engaged in coaching:
Refer to the Government’s ‘Return to Work Safely Protocol’.
- Limit number of passengers to allow for physical distancing, no passengers allowed in wheelhouse.
- Provide hand sanitiser and encourage passengers to use it.
- No sharing of equipment. Hire rods should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before and after use.
- All payments should be made electronically where possible
BE RESPONSIBLE – BE SAFE
The power to control this pandemic is still in our hands