Health Minister Stephen Donnelly believes that Ireland will be taking a massive step towards a "really, really positive summer" tomorrow when more lockdown measures lift.
"If we all continue doing what clearly we have been doing over the last few months, I think we're looking at a really, really positive summer - the kind of summer the country needs," said Donnelly.
Aside from this, the country achieved a record for the number of jabs administered in one day, 52,000, and the Taoiseach has confirmed that Ireland will join the EU's digital green certificate system, opening up the prospect of foreign travel by the end of the summer.
With people returning to work and lockdown measures being eased, a sense of optimism is growing that the outdoor summer could be prosperous, however, the continued progress to ease restrictions still depends on four factors; vaccines, variants, virus case numbers and the state of Ireland's hospitals.
With new changes being introduced from tomorrow, here are the rules in place....
The core healthcare advice
The same medical advice is being issued by the HSE and the public is being asked to continue doing the following;
- wash your hands properly and often
- practice social distancing
- cover coughs and sneezes
- follow the advice on face coverings
- follow the current Government restrictions
What Nphet has said
Speaking on Friday, Dr Tony Holohan was very encouraged to see so many businesses about to reopen. However, the CMO has asked people to "take great care and review safety protocols and practices" in order to prevent any spread of the virus.
Holohan said: “It is extremely important that business owners, employees and customers take great care and review safety protocols and practices and ensure to consider all the actions we can all take as individuals to protect ourselves and our loved ones.
“Only return to the workplace if it is necessary to do so. Continue to wear a mask, practise social distancing, good hand hygiene and cough etiquette. If you feel unsafe in a crowded environment feel empowered to turn around and go home.
“If you are a business owner or an employer, remember that you have a duty of care to those that work for you. Reopening responsibly will help to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 spreading amongst your staff in the workplace and ensure we all have the opportunity to enjoy the new social and economic activities available to us from May 10.”
What the Gardai said
After Monday, Gardai will not be monitoring motorists that are making non-essential journeys because inter-county travel to any of the 32 counties will be legal.
However, in a statement released on Friday, the Gardai said: "An Garda Síochána continues to find large groups meeting in house parties, social and outdoor gatherings etc. in breach of regulations. These actions continue to put everybody’s health and the recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic at risk."
Gardai can still issue fines for organising or attending crowded events like a house party. Elsewhere, fines can be issued to those who are not wearing a face-covering where one is legally required.
In terms of fines, 434 penalty notices of €100 for non-essential travel by persons not ordinarily resident in the State have been issued so far.
Elsewhere, 203 €2,000 fines for international travel to airports and ports, and 1,188 €500 fines for non-essential journeys to airports/ports were also issued.
Speaking on Friday, Deputy Commissioner of Policing and Security, Anne Marie McMahon has said: ""As we enjoy meeting up with more of our family and friends and doing activities we haven’t been able to do for a while, please remember not to gather in large groups. Please maintain social distancing. Please do not hold or attend house parties. And keep washing your hands.”
As of Monday, here are the new rules regarding...
Travel
The 20km travel limit will be no more with motorists allowed to freely can travel between counties in Ireland.
There is a Government Advisory in operation against all non-essential international travel.
Visitors to your garden
People will be able to entertain guests from a maximum of three households or 6 people from any number of households.
Outdoor gatherings
With the weather showing signs of improvement, the first steps towards an outdoor summer will allow a maximum number of 15 people to meet up.
Outdoor training
A maximum of 15 people can now train outdoors.
Retail
As seen by the popularity of the online reservation system that Penneys is using, Monday will be like Christmas Day for some shoppers.
Click and collect services will resume and shoppers can visit certain stores, provided they have an appointment only. Elsewhere, outdoor retail can recommence too.
Hairdressers
Say goodbye to your lockdown hair because barbers, hairdressers, nail salons and beauticians will open their doors for the first time since late December. Once again, these establishments will reopen for customers that have made appointments.
Galleries, museums, libraries and other cultural attractions
Ireland's cultural sector will also get a boost with galleries, museums, and libraries reopening. After spending months indoors, the opportunity for the nation to broaden its knowledge and mind is bound to be a very welcome addition.
Funerals
Social distancing measures and public health guidelines have made loss and funerals even harder in the last year. However, for those in mourning, the ability to have 50 people at a service will undoubtedly provide additional comfort.
Weddings
The number of people allowed at a service has been increased to 50, while a maximum of 6 guests at an indoor reception or 15 outdoors will be allowed.
Public transport
For those commuters that need to travel, public transport will now run at 50% capacity from Monday.
Property viewings
Potential homeowners can recommence with viewing, provided they have been made by appointment only and with licensed Property Service Providers.
Stationary mobile homes and caravans
With staycations looking more and more popular this summer, people that own a stationary mobile home or caravan can travel between counties in Ireland, provided they are the owner of the mobile home or caravan.
Vaccine bonus
From 10 May, indoor private home visiting is permitted (without masks or social distancing) in the following cases:
- fully vaccinated people can meet indoors with other fully vaccinated people as long as there are no more than 3 households present
- fully vaccinated people can meet indoors with unvaccinated people from a single household, provided that they are not at risk of severe illness and no more than 3 households are present
Guidance will be available for vaccinated persons in respect of home visits.
