Time for optimism as most Covid restrictions lifted

Almost all public health restrictions to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in Ireland have been lifted, following the latest advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team.

Social distancing measures have been scrapped, but masks are still required in certain settings as of 6am this morning.

Limits on household gatherings, crowds at indoor and outdoor events have come to an end, while restrictions on the hospitality industry have also been lifted.

This means bars, restaurants and other venues can stay open after 8pm and nightclubs can also reopen.

The digital Covid pass is no longer needed for entry into hospitality settings, but the wearing of face masks is still required in certain settings, such as public transport, in retail services, and cinemas and theatres.

People will continue to be required to isolate if they are symptomatic for Covid-19.

In a social media post, HSE chief Paul Reid said it had been a tough two years, adding "especially having lost so many loved ones."

"But for now, it's time to let optimism, hope and positive plans become dominant once again in society and in all of our lives," he said.

HSE Chief Paul Reid

Read more: At a glance: What's changing and what stays the same

While announcing the lifting of measures yesterday evening, Taoiseach Miche?l Martin warned that the pandemic is not over, and that vaccination programmes must be embedded into the public health system, to be switched on when needed.

"I have stood here on many dark days but today is a good day," he said in a televised address this evening.

Mr Martin described trust as a fragile thing for the public. "People know that Government will not impose restrictions on personal freedoms for any longer than is necessary."

Ireland has weathered the Omicron storm, he added.

Meanwhile a further 6,597 confirmed cases of Covid-19 were reported yesterday, while 4,564 people registered a positive antigen test through the HSE portal.

There are 836 people with Covid-19 in hospitals around this country as of 8am this morning. This is down 56 from the same time yesterday.

Small firms and businesses welcomed plans for a gradual return to the workplace from Monday.

Ibec described the move as an "important next step" towards a recovery in many industries.

Meanwhile the proportion of people who intend to get the Covid-19 booster vaccine has risen steadily in the last month while parents remain divided on their children getting the vaccine.

That is according to the findings from the latest behavioural study by the ESRI and the Department of An Taoiseach, which records the public response to the risks of Covid-19 infection and guidelines.

There was no major change in parent's willingness to vaccinate their children since the last survey in December.

39% of parents said they would be in favour of their child having the vaccine while more than 35% would not. 25% said they remain unsure.

Overall, the percentage of people unwilling to be vaccinated has decreased from 10% in December to 5%, while the number intending to take a booster vaccine has risen steadily to over 86%.

The ESRI states that data was collected during a period of high Covid case numbers, but with some signs that the Omicron variant, alongside high levels of vaccination, leads to less severe infection than previous variants.

It found that that there was a significant change in people's social interactions between mid-December and early January with the largest decline in social activity since early 2021.

The only recorded rise was in visits to outdoor amenities such as parks while inter-county travel declined to one of its lowest levels.

Additional reporting: Laura Hogan, M?che?l Lehane, Karen Creed