The majority of Ireland's remaining coronavirus restrictions will be eased from next week as life continues returning to normality.
The biggest rule change surrounds the wearing of face masks with this mandatory requirement set to be lifted within days.
Face coverings will no longer be compulsory in shops, on public transport, in schools or at work.
While there will be an 'advisory' in place for people on public transport to wear masks, this will not be a legal requirement.
Another set of Covid rules set to go will be the restrictions on schools and childcare which will see social distancing, pods and staggered breaks all gone too.
Government leaders made the decision during a meeting on Monday to drop almost all remaining Covid restrictions.
The laws will formally be dropped after Cabinet meets on Tuesday morning to rubber-stamp the agreement of the three leaders, Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan, made on Monday evening.
Last Thursday the Taoiseach named February 28, next Monday, as the day when the law on the wearing of face masks will be scrapped.
The Taoiseach said the government was able to move on this because “we are moving from the emergency phase of the pandemic to a new transitionary phase.”
Mr Martin was speaking after the latest letter from NPHET last Thursday night recommended dropping the face mask rules for everywhere bar healthcare settings.
Meanwhile, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar said he believes people will continue wearing masks after the law is dropped next week.
And Mr Varadkar also said he believes NPHET will “fade away.”
It is understood that the NPHET letter of last week was its last and that the advisory body will shortly be wound-up.
