Nursing Home residents can look forward to two visits a week from later this month.

The National Public Health Emergency Team this afternoon said the change will come into force from March 22nd.

The new rules will apply to all nursing homes that have fully vaccinated 80% of their residents and staff.

There will be no requirement to limit each visit to less than one hour.

It marks a change from the current rules which allows one visit every two weeks.

The Government said the changes will be “kept under continuing review as new evidence and data emerges.”

Nursing Homes Ireland CEO Tadhg Daly says the news will be very welcome to thousands of people around the country.

“We will be working with public health to ensure that all the infection control measures will be maintained for as long as is required,” he said.

“But it is absolutely very positive news and I am sure that families and indeed residents will welcome that announcement by NPHET this evening.”

The Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said the visits will be allowed on "compassionate grounds" - such as where a resident is upset that they haven't seen a friend or family member for prolonged period or where a resident wishes to make financial arrangements.