People will now be asked to wear masks on busy streets, in work and places of worship.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin announced the news during his national address this evening.
This is in addition to mask wearing in shops and will come into effect from December 1.
It is not clear if fines will also relate to breaking of these new rules.
In short terms, the eased measures are essentially Level Three, with some alterations from the Living With Covid plan.
Mr Martin confirmed that retail outlets, places of worship, gyms, libraries, cinemas and golf courses will reopen on Tuesday.
Three households will be allowed to gather together for Christmas, while the county-wide travel ban, which is usually in place for Level Three restrictions, will lift from December 18 to January 6.
And in big news for some publicans, bars that serve food, along with restaurants, will return as early as next Friday.
So-called "wet pubs" will only be allowed to offer take-away pints this festive season.
The Government decision comes despite advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team to keep boozers closed for the weeks ahead.
Despite a drop in cases, health experts have not seen the dip they had earlier hoped for when Level Five restrictions were introduced.
