This evening (Friday) Taoiseach Micheál Martin announced further easing of restrictions as part of the next stage of reopening the economy and society in line with ‘Resilience and Recovery: The Path Ahead’ plan, saying "The end of this is within our grasp".

In June, hotels and B&Bs will reopen, along with cinemas and theatres, outdoor services can start in restaurants and bars, and there will be partial reopening of driver theory test services. Increased numbers will be permitted at outdoor organised events, one unvaccinated household will be able to visit another, sports matches can start, and gyms, pools and leisure centres can reopen.

Selected sport and cultural pilot live events will take place in June to assess protective measures.

In July, Ireland will start operating the EU Digital COVID Certificate for travel within the EU and EEA, subject to health advice. There will be no restrictions on travel to or from Northern Ireland. Indoor service can resume in bars and restaurants, indoor group training can start, and household visits will be increased to three households. There will be further increases at weddings and outdoor events.

There are uncertainties and these will continue to be closely monitored by Government over the coming weeks. People should continue to work from home unless necessary to attend in person.

KEY DATES

From 2 June: 

Accommodation services including hotels, B&Bs, self-catering and hostels can reopen. Services including leisure facilities, indoor restaurant and bar services must be restricted to overnight guests/residents only.

From 7 June: 

Visitors to your home: You can have visitors from one other household inside your home for unvaccinated households

Weddings: 25 people can attend a wedding celebration or reception

Sport: Outdoor sports matches can take place

Restaurants and bars: Outdoor services can reopen

Gyms and training: Gyms, swimming pools, leisure centres can reopen for individual training only

Driver Theory tests: 25,000 tests per month to take place

Organised outdoor events: Maximum of 100 attendees for the majority of venues. Maximum of 200 for outdoor venues with a minimum accredited capacity of 5,000

Live events: Pilot events to take place

From 5 July (subject to the public health situation at the time)

Visitors to your home: You can have visitors from up to three other households inside your home

Weddings: 50 people can attend a wedding celebration or reception

Organised indoor events: Maximum of 50 attendees at the majority of venues. Maximum of 100 can attend events in larger venues with strict public health measures in place

Organised outdoor events: Maximum of 200 attendees for the majority of venues. Maximum of 500 for outdoor venues with a minimum accredited capacity of 5,000

Personal fitness: Indoor training, exercise and dance activities can recommence in pods of up to six

Bars and restaurants: Indoor services can resume

From 19 July (subject to the public health situation at the time)

International travel: Current Government advice is to avoid non-essential international travel. Depending on the prevailing public health situation at the time, Ireland will operate the EU Digital COVID Certificate (DCC) for travel originating within the EU/EEA

Under consideration for August: 

Indoor and outdoor events: Further increases in the numbers permitted

Weddings: Maximum attendance at wedding receptions and celebrations to increase to 100

Public transport: To return to full capacity

Supporting the Recovery

Measures will continue to be in place to support the recovery and an Economic Recovery Plan to chart a course through the summer and beyond will be published next week. The Plan will set out a new phase of supports, investment and policies for economic recovery, providing clarity for businesses and employees by setting out the next steps for the emergency pandemic supports, with a focus on opportunities for sustainable growth and job creation.