A major relaxing of Covid restrictions gets underway today for the first time this year, with 12 thousand businesses expected to reopen this week.
Travel across counties and haircuts are allowed, as well as click and collect.
Religious services are also permitted, and galleries, museums, and libraries are also back open.
Here is the breakdown;
Shopping, personal services, and culture:
From today The phased reopening of non-essential retail begins. Stores can offer click-and-collect or in-store shopping by appointment. Outdoor retail can also resume. Penneys is reopening for personal appointments and around a quarter of a million people have registered for an appointment already! Also reopening today are personal services like hairdressers, barbers and beauticians. Cultural services are reopening so Galleries, museums, and libraries can reopen for lending services.
Travel and visiting:
Intercounty travel for non-essential reasons can return, so people can travel anywhere in the country. A maximum of three households, or up to six people from individual households, can meet outdoors, including in private gardens. Children aged 12 and under are not included in the limits. Additionally, people who are fully vaccinated can meet indoors with other fully vaccinated people, with a maximum of three households present. Fully vaccinated people can meet indoors with unvaccinated people from a single household, as long as they are not at risk of severe illness.
Religious and civil services:
Mass and other religious services are returning today in person with a limit of 50 people but no Communions or Confirmations are taking place. Up to 50 mourners are allowed to attend funeral services, but no gatherings are allowed after. 50 guests are allowed to attend wedding services, whether civil or religious. For celebrations or receptions after the service, a maximum of six people will be allowed to attend indoors, and up to 15 outdoors.
Sport and transport :
Up to 15 people can attend organised gatherings outdoors. Outdoor sports training for adults can return, in pods with a maximum of 15 people. The number of people allowed on public transport increases to 50% of normal capacity from this morning. In addition, viewings of properties can resume, by appointment only and through licensed Property Service Providers.
