Ireland will begin to ease lockdown restrictions even further from Monday June 29, Leo Varadkar confirmed yesterday.
As expected, the country will enter Phase Three of the 'roadmap' to reopening.
Mr Varadkar made the hugely anticipated address to the nation from Government Buildings on Friday.
A number of lockdown restrictions will be eased as part of the new phase, and we have put together a list of the 5 main things you will finally be able to do again from Monday week:
1. Travel anywhere in Ireland
One of the biggest changes will be the removal of all travel restrictions within Ireland, as the "stay local" advice has been discarded. This means you can visit anywhere in the country.
However, the Government is still advising against all non-essential travel outside of Ireland, for now. Passengers arriving here from overseas will also still be required to self-isolate for 14 days.
2. Larger indoor and outdoor gatherings
As part of the accelerated roadmap, the Government is allowing much bigger gatherings, both indoors and outdoors.
Groups of up to 50 people will be allowed to gather indoors, provided public health advice is followed, while up to 200 people can gather outdoors. This is big news for those with wedding plans, in particular.
3. Visit pubs, cafes and restaurants
The much-anticipated reopening of pubs will begin from June 29, however they will be operating under strict rules and they are required to serve a "substantial meal". As a result, not all pubs in the country will be back open on Monday week.
Cafes and restaurants will also be reopening on this date.
4. Get a haircut
After three months of lockdown, hairdressers, barbers, nail and brow salons, beauty salons, spas, make-up application services, tanning, tattooing and piercing services will all be allowed to reopen on June 29.
5. Go to the gym, swimming pool
Sporting activities are allowed to resume from June 29, and this includes team leagues for both adult and children, close contact sports and organised sporting spectator events.
Businesses such as gyms, sports clubs and swimming pools as well as yoga, pilates and dance studios will also be back open.
