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The final move to end restrictions will include easing requirements for physical distancing and mask wearing in many settings, as well as removing testing or vaccination as a grounds for accessing many services, under a plan agreed by the Cabinet on Tuesday.
The plan, entitled Reframing the Challenge, Continuing Our Recovery and Reconnecting, will see the lifting of almost all restrictions by October 22nd.
From Monday, September 6th, cinemas and theatres can choose between having 50 per cent capacity with a mixture of vaccinated and unvaccinated together inside, or 60 per cent of capacity with vaccinated people only. For outdoor events it can be 75 per cent vaccinated or 50 per cent mixed.
From next week all religious services can be held at 50 per cent capacity regardless of vaccination status.
Coach tours at 50 per cent capacity with protective measures can resume. Conferences, trade fairs and exhibitions involving external audiences can also recommence.
From September 20th, up to 100 people can gather indoors for sports or indoor activities like dance or yoga if all are vaccinated. If not all are vaccinated, people must stay within pods of six. A venue can host more than one pod of six if they have a large enough venue.
Indoor live music events can start with a requirement for audiences and spectators to be fully seated.
The easing of the capacity limit will not apply to weddings, which will have a 100-person cap until October 22nd.
Mandates for physical distancing are set to be scrapped by October 22nd, as well as mask wearing outdoors and indoors in private settings.
‘Reasonable plan’
Speaking on his way into Cabinet, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said what is being presented is a “reasonable plan for reopening”.
“We also have one of the highest Covid rates in the EU... but we have to give a way to return to normality that is safe and sustainable,” he told RTÉ. Details of the proposals are to be worked out with sporting organisations, Fáilte Ireland and other sectors, he added.
The Government is also considering removing certification of immunity or testing as grounds to access services, with the exception of international travel, while restrictions on high-risk activities such as nightclubs are also under consideration for removal from that date.
Limits on numbers that can meet in private homes, gardens and at outdoor events or engaged in sporting activities are also set to be removed, as will any remaining restrictions on indoor sports activities, leisure activities and religious or civil ceremonies.
The phased return to the office will continue, as appropriate to each sector, with each sector also set to be asked to review and align sector specific guidelines.
Minister for Transport and the Environment Eamon Ryan said people must take “personal responsibility” now that there is a high level of vaccination in Ireland. On his way into the cabinet meeting he told RTÉ that booster vaccines for the vulnerable and immunocompromised will need to be looked at.
Covid-19 is “not going away”, he said, adding that testing and screening will remain critical. People cannot continuously be expected to refrain from going to work, college, weddings and other events that are important for mental health, he said.
‘Last mile’ payment
Plans are also being developed for a “last mile” payment to be made to people working in sectors, such as the arts, which will not immediately return to full capacity and will take some time for events to be planned and organised.
Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys told Monday night’s meeting of the Cabinet subcommittee on Covid-19 that it is not a case of “switching the lights back on” for this particular sector.
It is unclear exactly what form the payment will take or the level it will be at, but agreement has been reached in principle on a proposal being discussed by Ms Humphreys and Minister for the Arts Catherine Martin to revert with a level of support and details of those who will qualify.
Discussions are expected to continue in the coming days, it is understood.
 
The plan will also see a phased return to the office from September 20th. It is understood the reopening plan is also likely to reference an increased role for rapid Covid testing for international travel, after its use was discussed at the subcommittee on Monday evening.