In case you missed it: Here are Ireland’s summer reopening plans in full

Taoiseach  Micheál Martin said that the strategy to combat Covid-19 is working and “the end of this is within our grasp”.

“This is an important time for us all. After the trauma of the last 15 months, we are finally taking definite steps toward enjoying normal times with friends and loved ones again,” he said.

“We are almost back to a point where we can enjoy the ordinary and extraordinary moments in our lives, the excitement and relief is palpable.”

Below are the reopening plans as outlined by the government.

June 2nd

• Hotels and B&Bs to reopen

June 7th

• Outdoor hospitality, such as bars and restaurants, can reopen
• Cinemas and theatre can reopen
• Driver theory tests can resume, with 25,000 allowed per month
• Gyms, swimming pools, leisure centres can reopen for individual training only
• Outdoor sports matches can take place
• 25 people can attend a wedding celebration or reception
• Maximum of 100 attendees for the majority of outdoor venues. Maximum of 200 for outdoor venues with a minimum accredited capacity of 5,000
• Unvaccinated households can have visitors from one other unvaccinated household inside

July 5th

• Indoor service to resume in bars, cafes and restaurants
• Maximum of 100 attendees in larger indoor venues and 50 in all others
• Numbers allowed to attend outdoor events will increase
• Indoor exercise and sports activities will return
• People can have visitors from up to three other households

July 19th

• International travel set to resume under EU’s Digital Green Certificate scheme.

However, on travel to and from the UK,  Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said the Republic of Ireland is “not in a position” to restore the Common Travel Area just yet following advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) that there are “real concerns” about the prevalence of the variant that first originated in India in Great Britain.

The easting for further restrictions in August is also under consideration – such as increasing numbers up to 100 for weddings and 200 for larger, indoor events.