Taoiseach Micheál Martin has been said last night that the country needed to “smile and sing again”. He was saying in a televised address after removing the majority of Covid curbs, following almost two years of tough pandemic restrictions.
Micheál Martin has confirmed the lifting of nearly all Covid-19 restrictions from 6am Saturday.
Mr.Martin also confirmed the return of handshakes and a phased return to the office, while masks will remain a requirement and Covid certs will still be needed for European travel.
“I have stood here on many dark days but today is a good day,” he said.
Martin explained trust as a fragile thing for the public. “People know that Government will not impose restrictions on personal freedoms for any longer than is necessary.”
The Taoiseach thanked the country for its resilience and said: “Today is a good day”.
“Spring is coming and I don’t know if I’ve ever looked forward to one as much as I’m looking forward to this one,” Mr Martin said.
“Humans are social beings and we Irish are more social than most. As we look forward to this spring, we need to see each other again. We need to see each other smile, we need to sing again.”
What restrictions have been discarded and what’s left…
From 6am today, the following restrictions have been removed:
- Limits on household visits
- 8pm closing time for hospitality and events
- Physical distancing requirements in hospitality (table service, 1m between tables, 6 per table)
- Covid pass requirement across all domestic venues/activities
- Requirement for pubs/restaurants to maintain contact details
- Capacity restrictions for outdoor events, including sporting fixtures
- Capacity restrictions for indoor events, including weddings.
- Restrictions on nightclubs
From Monday (January 24):
- Return to physical attendance in workplaces can commence on a phased basis appropriate to each sector.
- Measures remaining in place until February 28:
- Requirements for mask-wearing on public transport and retail environments.
Protective measures in schools and early-learning and care facilities.