Cabinet has made its decision on Ireland’s next steps towards normality following a meeting on Wednesday.
Many businesses have been struggling with staff shortages as thousands of people come down with Covid-19 daily and close contact numbers skyrocket.
Meanwhile, a major struggle to find PCR test availability has been seen since before Christmas and so further changes will take pressure off the testing centres and businesses going forward.
From Friday, those who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 who become close contacts, but aren’t showing any symptoms of the virus, won’t be asked to carry out the five-day isolation period.
They will, however, still be asked to wear higher grade masks and to take regular antigen tests at home to rule out any development of infection.
People who are identified as close contacts but have not received a booster vaccine will be asked to restrict their movements for seven days.
Another big change will see everyone else have to isolate for seven days rather than ten if they contract Covid-19.
Meanwhile, antigen test results will no longer have to be proven with a PCR test for people aged four to 39 years.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Taoiseach Micheal Martin confirmed: “The Cabinet this morning has made a decision based on advice from the Chief Medical Officer in relation to close contacts coming into effect from midnight tomorrow night.
“It reflects the progress that we are making in terms of our fight against Omicron and Covid-19 more generally.
“It has been made possible really by the very strong vaccination programme we have rolled out over the last year.
“My consistent message is to people who have not been vaccinated, please get vaccinated because it will protect you from severe illness or from the necessity for admission to hospitals and ICUs.
“And to those who have not received the booster, please do get it, it really is working.”
He went on to say that despite the change in rules “we have to remain vigilant, we have to keep on top of this virus but the decision on close contacts represents a balance in terms of the pressures on the health service and other essential services but also the progress we’re making in relation to the vaccination".
In order to be at a point where further restrictions can be relaxed, Mr Martin urged the public to "continue to follow the public health advice to allow us to get through this phase and we will be reviewing other issues then later this month".
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