ROI to ditch almost all remaining lockdown measures

Most restrictions in the Republic of Ireland will be lifted from Saturday morning.

The Irish cabinet has signed off on plans to let workers return to offices on a staggered basis from Monday, while normal hours will resume in the hospitality industry this weekend.

Social distancing measures and limits on gatherings will be scrapped, as will the requirement to show Covid-19 passes for access to pubs and restaurants.

Mask-wearing looks set to continue until the end of February, self-isolation will remain in place for symptomatic people and Covid passes will still be needed for international travel.

But all other restrictions will be lifted from 6am on Saturday.

Earlier, Tanaiste Leo Varadkar said there was no basis for the restrictions being in place without a public health rationale, but said it could take time to unpick the legislation underpinning them.

He told reporters on Friday: “I think the view across Government is that if there's no longer a public health rationale for any particular restriction, well, then there's no political rationale for it either.

"But there are things that need to be worked out, to make something that's currently currently illegal, legal.

"It can require a ministerial order to be rescinded, it sometimes requires primary legislation to be repealed. So it leaves a bit of work today on timing.

"And then also, particularly, a lot of work on the business supports and making sure that they're not removed too suddenly."

The news comes after changes to Northern Ireland's lockdown rules came into effect today, ahead of more changes from Wednesday January 26th.