Ireland will scrap most of its Covid-19 restrictions starting from 29 January following a drop in the number of new cases, the government announced. Starting then, there will be no social distancing requirements in public venues, no restrictions on the number of people attending indoor and outdoor events, no limits on household gatherings, and no domestic requirements of a valid EU Digital Covid Certificate for access to various premises.

Businesses in the hospitality sector such as restaurants and bars will no longer need to be closed before 8 p.m. and nightclubs can reopen, the government said, adding that people can also return to work in office on a phased basis.

But a limited number of public health measures will remain in place until the end of February, which include mandatory wearing of face masks on public transport and in public indoor settings and adherence to current protective measures in schools and early learning and care facilities, it added.

Public health measures regarding international travel including the requirement of a valid EU Digital Covid will also remain unchanged, the statement said. The decision of the Irish government came at a time when Ireland saw a notable decline in its Covid-19 infections in the past week or so.

On January 17, Ireland’s daily Covid-19 cases dropped below 10,000 for the first time in more than three weeks and has since remained below that level for the last five consecutive days. High uptake of Covid-19 vaccines and booster doses are the other factors that have shored up confidence in easing the restrictions.