Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has announced an accelerated roadmap for the reopening of Ireland. "Apart from some exceptions, most things are now being moved to Phase 3, beginning Monday 29 June," he said in a televised address this evening.
He also urged people to continue to adhere to the two metre social distancing rule.
The new roadmap is now as follows:
Phase 3 (29 June)
Sport: All sporting activity can resume from 29 June. Individual sporting organisations will decide how best to proceed. Close physical contact sports, such as rugby and boxing, can also resume. Gyms, yoga, pilates and dance studios and sports clubs can reopen alongside effective cleaning and social distancing.
The Government also announced that a funding package of up €70 million has been approved to support the sports sector. This will include up to €40m for the three main field sports organisations - the FAI, the GAA and the IRFU.
Culture/recreation: Theatres, music venues, concert halls and cinemas can reopen with social distancing in place. Indoor recreational venues, such as bowling alleys and bingo halls, can also reopen. Leisure centres and swimming pools are also allowed to welcome visitors again.
Drinking and eating: Bars (with or without restaurant licences, as long as they serve food) can reopen with table service only and various other restrictions including the serving of a "substantial" meal.
Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan, when asked if people had to eat a meal if they were going to be in a pub, said that "a few fellas getting together for a few pints and having a packet of peanuts" does not constitute a meal in a restaurant.
Nightclubs and discos are excluded from Phase 3.
Tourism: Hotels, hostels, caravan parks, galleries and museums can welcome visitors again.
Businesses/services: Wellbeing services, for example chiropractic, massage therapy, acupuncture, reflexology and homoeopathy, can reopen. Driving schools are back in business as are all remaining retail outlets (for example bookmakers).
Travel: All restrictions for travelling within Ireland will be lifted. However, the Government has decided to postpone for another week a decision on re-opening off-shore islands. Islands have been closed to non-residents since Covid-19 restrictions came into effect.
There is no date set yet for people to be allowed travel abroad again. Mr Varadkar confirmed that the 14 day quarantine for all arrivals to Ireland will remain in place until at least 9 July.
Public transport: Use public transport only for essential journeys, wear face coverings and avoid peak-time travel.
Private transport: Tour, event and private bus use, and vehicle hire, may recommence.
Hair salons/barbers/beauticians: They can now reopen from 29 June.
Weddings/large gatherings: People can gather in groups of 50 indoors and 100 outdoors until 20 July and thereafter, it increases to 100 indoors and 500 outdoors. Social distancing must be implemented.
Weddings with up to 50 guests can take place indoors until 20 July, with 100 people thereafter
Religious services: People can attend services at places of worship from 29 June, with physical distancing measures in place.
Catholic Archbishop Diarmuid Martin previously said that communions and confirmations in small groups may now be able to take place later in the summer.
Childcare: Crèches, childminders and preschools will open for children of all workers who need childcare to return to work. Children will be grouped into pods, of between six and 12, to reduce the risk of transmitting coronavirus.
Phase 4 (20 July) - this is now the final phase
All bars back: Pubs that do not serve food can reopen. Hotel bars and casinos may also reopen.
However, Brian Foley from the Vintners' Federation of Ireland has warned that many will remain shut if the two metre social distancing advice remains. "This is because it would reduce capacity by up to 87% of standing customers and 65% of those seated in a typical bar layout. So it would simply not be viable for many pubs to run a business."
Socialising/gatherings: A larger number of people - 100 indoors and 500 outdoors - will be permitted. People must adhere to social distancing. The Taoiseach said gatherings of more than 5,000 will not take place before 31 August.
Work: There will be a continued phased return to work across all sectors. Employees who cannot work remotely will be the first to return to onsite working. Depending on the business, measures such as shift work and staggered hours will be implemented. Remote working will continue for those who can do so.
Pubs that do not serve food can reopen from 20 July
Health: Health Minister Simon Harris said screening services will publish their plans to restart services by the end of June. He also said there are fewer vacant beds in hospitals as routine healthcare treatments return.
What happens after 20 July?
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said there was no date set for changing any of the measures set out in the two final phases but they would be reviewed every two to three weeks.
A Cabinet committee will discuss the two week quarantine for Irish arrivals next week.
Mr Varadkar also said if restrictions had to be reintroduced in the future, they could be limited to certain areas or regions.
He said if the Government have to act they will - and if they have to reverse the measures, they will.
Health Minister Simon Harris said it was unlikely the same restrictions would be applied if there is a second wave of the virus.