The country is moving ahead with a further easing of restrictions from Friday October 22nd.
However several measures are to remain in place as more parts of the economy re-open.
Nightclubs will re-open at full capacity, but vaccine certificates will be needed to get in.
Pub and restaurant opening hours will return to normal hours, but they will remain at table service only with limits of 10 people per table and 15 when children are involved.
Vaccine certs and capacity limits will not apply outdoors.
While capacity limits on weddings and other religious services will lift, but all other restrictions will remain in place.
From October 22nd:
- There is a requirement for a COVID-19 Digital Certificate (or a recovery certificate) for indoor hospitality and events
- Social distancing remains in place
- Face masks still must be worn, but can be removed for eating food or drinking alcohol
- There will be table service only in hospitality settings - with a maximum of 10 adults per table, or 15 including children
- The collection of contact tracing data will continue
- Indoor live music, drama, live entertainment and sporting events audience/spectators should be fully seated (standing is permitted at your seat)
- Specific sectoral guidance will be issued for nightclubs - this will involve COVID-19 Certs, contact tracing and wearing of facemasks: except when eating, drinking and dancing
- COVID-19 passes and fixed capacity limits will not apply for outdoor events
While organisers of indoor and outdoor group activities should ensure that appropriate protective measures are in place.
And where indoor groups have a mix of vaccinated and unvaccinated people indoors, pods of six should apply.
Fixed capacity limits will also not apply to these indoor and outdoor group activities.
And the return to workplaces can continue on a phased basis.
The extension of rules around mask wearing, social distancing and COVID-19 Certs is to remain in place until February next year.
However legislation will be required to do this.
