Travel restrictions Ireland: The forgotten changes starting today as part of Level 5 lockdown exit plan

The beginning of the easing of strict travel restrictions will start today ahead of the big unravelling next week.

Irish Rail has confirmed that it will resume its full schedule today for the first time since January 11.

It will return to a pre-covid timetable while still operating at 25% capacity - in relation to the DART, this includes sitting and standing - which will increase to 50% from Monday May 10.

Irish Rail's Barry Kenny has said that these changes will help accommodate more customers.

He said: "We are still very significantly down obviously from normal times but as each level of restrictions is opened up, numbers grow somewhat so the full timetable will allow us to cater for that."

Luas tracks at Heuston Station (Collins Photo Agency)

You can find more information on the return to full capacity on their website here.

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May 4 will also see the construction sector return to full activity as sites over Ireland reopen after being shut at Christmas time.

As well as this, outdoor workers such as window cleaners and maintenance workers can also return.

Here's are all the rule changes that you need to know for May and June:

Shoppers leaving Penneys on Dublin's Henry Street, as the country opens up again after the recent Level 5 lockdown (Collins)

• The following changes are set to come into effect from May 10:

  • Inter-county travel returns
  • Sports training for adults returns
  • Hairdressers/barbers/beauticians are back

  • Three households or six people can meet outdoors or in a back garden

  • Click and collect shopping resumes

  • Vaccinated households can meet with another household indoors

  • Libraries, museums, and galleries are back

  • 50 people allowed at funerals and wedding services, but only 6 can come to the afters of the wedding indoors, or 15 outdoors

  On May 17:

  • The mass reopening of non-essential retail

  On June 2:

  • Hotels will be allowed to reopen, with the bonus for guests able to eat meals like their breakfast inside

  On June 7:

  • All pubs and restaurants allowed to open again to serve, but only outdoors initially
  • Gyms and swimming pools will reopen

  • Any household can visit one other

  • Amateur sports matches are back on

  • Guests at wedding receptions up to 25

  • Cinemas and theatres to reopen