It has been confirmed this evening that many reopening measures have been brought forward - with cinemas, gyms and cinemas allowed to reopen in just over a week's time.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has confirmed that most measures are being brought forward to 'phase three', which begins from June 29th.
However, some exceptions remain - and large gatherings are still at least a few months away.
Here's what can reopen on June 29th, once social distancing guidelines are followed:
- Restaurants, cafés and pubs which serve 'substantial' meals
- Hotels, caravan parks and hostels
- Churches and places of worship
- Gyms and yoga / Pilates / dance studios
- Cinemas
- Theatres, concert halls and music venues
- Leisure facilities
- Bingo halls and arcades
- Swimming pools
- Museums and galleries
- Hairdressers and barber shops
- Nail and beauty salons
- Tattoo and piercing services
- Spas
- Bookmakers and other retail businesses that haven't reopened yet
- Driving schools (and driving tests can also resume)
- Sporting activities, including close contact sports and team leagues for adults and children - however, spectator limits will remain
- Mass gatherings (including weddings) of 50 people indoors and 200 people will be allowed
In addition, Health Minister Simon Harris this evening confirmed a date for resumption of cancer screening services will be released in the coming 10 days. He said CervicalCheck should be back quickly, but other services might take a little longer.
However, some things will remain closed for now:
- Pubs and bars which don't serve food will remain closed until July 20th
- Nightclubs will remain closed for now, with Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan noting nightclubs have had a particular difficulty in other countries with the resurgence of the virus
- The Taoiseach has said a decision on re-opening air travel is possible next week, but the issue was not dealt with by Cabinet today
- Mass gatherings of up to 100 people indoors and 500 people outdoors will be allowed in Phase 4 (July 20th) if the virus remains low. No rough date on larger gatherings has yet been decided, but will be looked at in the coming weeks. It has already been confirmed that large events will not take place until at least September 1st
