Ireland is set to party as Taoiseach Micheál Martin announced the removal of all Covid rules on pubs and nightclubs.
In a significant move forward for the country, almost all restrictions have been lifted after two years of lockdowns.
Announcing the news in a speech to the nation, Mr Martin said: “Today is a good day.
“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.
“Spring is coming.
“And I don’t know if I have ever looked forward to one as much as I am looking forward to this one.
“We’ve done this by having the confidence to be ourselves.
“As we face into our second century as a free democracy, and as we navigate this new phase of Covid, it is time to be ourselves again.”
And the Taoiseach said he will even head out to celebrate this weekend.
He said: “I will have a pint over the weekend.
“Where I’m not exactly sure yet, I might head to Killarney, there’s a match on.
“As I said to someone yesterday, somewhere I can go now without having to look over my shoulder and make sure I’m not doing anything out of the way.”
And even Dr Holohan joked with Mr Varadkar that he was “open to offers” to head out for a pint this weekend.
The CMO said he is looking forward to going to a number of concerts and GAA matches.
From Saturday:
Pubs, late bars, nightclubs and restaurants can return to normal trading hours
Drinking at the bar can resume and limit on numbers at table removed
Covid passes abolished for access to pubs and restaurants
Full capacity allowed at indoor and outdoor events including weddings
Concerts, theatres, indoor activities to return
Social distancing will no longer be required
No limits on household visits
From Monday, a return to physical attendance in workplaces can commence on a phased basis appropriate to each sector.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said masks will be required in hospitality and the mask mandate will remain until it is reviewed at the end of February.
All Covid measures in schools will also be reviewed at this time during the mid-term break.
Covid passes will be required for international travel and if a person should follow isolation rules if they become symptomatic.
All rules on close contacts and isolation periods will be reviewed at the end of February.
Tanáiste Leo Varadkar said there is “confidence if this is not the end, it is certainly the beginning of the end.”
And Tourism Minister Catherine Martin confirmed that St Patrick’s Day parades will return.
The Taoiseach also said handshakes are back if people are comfortable with doing so.
Reacting to the news, pub chiefs have described the decision to scrap all restrictions on hospitality as a “monumental day for all of hospitality.”
Padraig Cribben, CEO of the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI), the body that represents pubs outside of Dublin said: “After a nightmare 22 months this is the news our members have been waiting for.
“Across Ireland there are 7,000 pubs employing 50,000 staff so the benefits of reopening will be felt everywhere.
“Overnight, we are saying goodbye to vaccine passes, mandatory table service, contact details, six per table, sitting at all times, 1-metre social distancing, no pool or darts and the ban on using bar counters.
“It really is remarkable to see it all coming to an end.”
Donall O’Keeffe, CEO of the Licensed Vintners Association (LVA) said: “We can’t wait to see towns and cities around Ireland thriving again well into the night and the full return of Ireland’s world famous hospitality.
“We are also really looking forward to seeing our customers at bar counters once more.
“We have no doubt that many glasses will be raised throughout the country in celebration this weekend.
“Overall the feelings of joy, relief and excitement are permeating throughout the sector.
“Some in the sector were worried this day may never come.”
In his speech, Mr Martin urged parents to speak to their GPs about vaccinating their children.
He encouraged people to come forward to get their booster jab and said “Ireland’s world class vaccination programme and the roll-out of boosters has utterly transformed our situation.”
He added: “I want to strongly encourage all parents to engage with their GP.
“Talk to them about the vaccine, ask any questions and tease out any concerns you may have.
“The vaccine is safe for children and will keep them safe.
“Indeed, my message to everyone could not be clearer: vaccination is key.
“The evidence is there to see: the unvaccinated and the un-boosted suffer the most.”
The Fianna Fáil leader said he wanted to make it clear that the pandemic is not over and it will “still require all of us to be vigilant.”
He said: “Yes the emergency is over in terms of those restrictions but the pandemic isn’t.”
He said the relaxation of Covid restrictions will “likely lead to a temporary rise in infections in the short term.”
But NPHET has advised that the impact of this rise will be limited by the scale of vaccination.
He said: “It is important also to say that I can’t promise you there won’t be further twists in this pandemic requiring different decisions in the future.
“But I do know this: solidarity with each other and trust in science has got us to where we are today, and will get us through whatever else this virus may throw at us.”
Tanáiste Leo Varadkar confirmed that cuts to the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) will also be deferred.
Cuts due on February 8 will be deferred until March 8 and the overall removal of payments has been postponed until April 5.
The reduction of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) will be delayed by a month for businesses that were directly impacted by the public health restrictions introduced in December 2021.
A restart payment of one week’s support will be paid to Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) recipients to assist re-opening.
And fees for special exemption orders for late licences will continue to be waived until the end of April.
