INTER-COUNTY TRAVEL can resume from today as Ireland lifts numerous restrictions introduced to slow the spread of Covid-19.
The rules on travel have been in place since the end of 2020, with people first unable to travel further than 5km, then within their own county only, or 20km from home, whichever was further.
From today, 10 May, a number of other restrictions are also being eased as Ireland cautiously leaves lockdown after five months: from today, galleries, museums, libraries and other cultural spaces can reopen, and up to three households or six individuals can meet outdoors, including in private gardens.
Up to three fully vaccinated people can also meet indoors, and a fully vaccinated person can also meet a non-vaccinated household indoors.
Outdoor retail such as garden centres can reopen, and other non-essential retail can open on an appointment basis or for click-and-collect; up to 15 people can attend organised gatherings outdoors, and outdoor training for adults can return.
Personal services such as hairdressers and barbers also reopen from today by appointment only, with no walk-ins allowed; mass and other church services can resume with up to 50 people, and 50 people can attend funerals or weddings.
The capacity of public transport has also been increased to 50%.
The reopening comes at a time when Ireland is still experiencing high daily case numbers of the virus, however hospitalisations continues to drop as the vaccine roll-out makes an effect; a recent positive trend has seen over 50,000 vaccinations administered per day.
As of last Friday (7 May) there were 1,799,190 doses of Covid-19 vaccine administered in Ireland:
