While every removal of Ireland's various lockdown restrictions is welcome, the date of June 7 had been earmarked as a key one for many, especially those in the hospitality sector.
As of today, outdoor service can resume with food and drink being served to patrons.
However, with the excitement of pints finally returning, many might forget that there are a lot of other rule changes coming into force today:
Visitors to your home
If you are living in an unvaccinated household, you can have visitors from one other unvaccinated household inside your home.
However, the vaccine bonus remains in place for vaccinated households.
With the bonus, you can meet indoors with:
- other fully vaccinated people from up to two other households
- people from one other household who are not vaccinated - as long as no more than three households are there
It also means that anyone who has received the jab does not have to wear face coverings or stay two metres apart.
Cinemas
Cinemas are allowed to reopen from today, with various social distancing rules in place.
An increase in wedding numbers
From today, 25 people can attend a wedding celebration or reception.
Matches and gyms
Outdoor sports matches can take place while gyms, swimming pools and leisure centres can reopen for individual training only.
Restaurants and pubs
Outdoor services can reopen but it's worth noting the rules that are in place and they include;
Customer Limits
There are no limits on how many tables a restaurant can accommodate outside, as long as they are following social distancing guidelines.
Six adult customers and a maximum of nine children under 12 can sit together per table.
Only table service is allowed.
Time Limits
There will be no time limits for outdoor service. Unlike last year, we can enjoy a meal out without watching the clock.
While the return of indoor dining next month will bring time limits for tables indoors, anyone eating outside won’t have to worry.
And while there are no time limits for dining outdoors, all customers will have to be off the premises by 11.30pm.
Music
No live music is allowed and any other music that's played can’t be too loud either.
Safety regulations
The traditional safety rules and regulations are also in effect like social distancing, mask-wearing, contact tracing and hand sanitisation.
Driver Theory tests
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) will reopen its full network of 40 test centres with capacity being permitted at 25,000 driver theory tests per month.
There are currently 120,000 customers booked to take their driver theory test.
The test centres have extensive COVID-19 measures in place to protect both customers and staff and to ensure the safe delivery of the service. It is hoped that capacity will gradually increase to 50,000 tests per month over time if public health guidance permits.
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
A host of pilot events are scheduled to take place, with the first getting underway on Thursday when James Vincent McMorrow plays at the Iveagh Gardens to 500 people.
On Friday, Leinster v Dragons at the RDS will have 1,200 fans in attendance, while Shamrock Rovers v Finn Harps and Cork City v Cabinteely will also have crowds in the stands.
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