Reopening Date – Dec 1st or Dec 2nd?

Many of you have been seeking confirmation on a reopening date and we understand that it’s getting close now and we need clarity. We have met with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and stressed the importance of clarity on a reopening date due to the nature of advance appointment booking in our hair and beauty salons. At this point it must be noted that the date of December 2nd is the “envisioned date” and we hope that this will be amended and brought forward to at least the 1^st of December.

As of 19/11/2020, the following has been outlined by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in writing;

“To clarify, the date of reopening in the context of the current restrictions is the 2nd of December and NOT the 1^st of December. This is the date under which reopening is envisaged, subject to Government decision in relation to next steps”. “Further clarity on reopening is dependent on NPHET advice and Government decision”.  The Department has advised HABIC that “the data is being continually reviewed, but as soon as more information is available we will be in touch”. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment “appreciate how important it is for you, your staff and your customers to get back to work”.

The current regulations are due to expire at midnight on the 1^st of December.

Specifically:
When a regulation says ‘until a particular date’ it means the whole of that particular date. The current regulations say until the 1^st of December which means the whole of the 1^st of December, so if not extended or otherwise amended, then these regulations would finish at midnight on the 1^st of December.
See Section 18(h) of the Interpretation Act 2005:
“Periods of time. Where a period of time is expressed to begin on or be reckoned from a particular day, that day shall be deemed to be included in the period and, where a period of time is expressed to end on or be reckoned to a particular day, that day shall be deemed to be included in the period”.

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2005/act/23/section/18/enacted/en/html

The Minister of State with responsibility for the Retail sector, Damien English, confirmed to RTE that the Government is likely to publish a plan in regard to the reopening towards the end of next week. We understand that many salons are fully booked on the 1^st of December and beyond. HABIC has written to the Minister and will continue to engage with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment on this matter to seek an earlier reopening, but for now the date doors reopen is the 2^nd of December (unless the regulations are amended).