Cabinet Ministers have approved the plan for reopening the economy over the next few months.
There will be a significant easing of restrictions from May 10th.
It will see the inter-county travel ban lifted, meet ups in gardens allowed and social visits with vaccinated people indoors approved.
Retail will start opening, hairdressers, barbers and beauticians can open their doors with outdoor sports training resuming.
Religious services will return, the amount allowed at funerals and weddings will increase to 50 people - but only for the service, with the afters of a wedding limited to 6 people indoors and 15 outdoors.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly says it's a good news day - but not an excuse for everyone to go mad.
Indeed there is concern in some quarters in government buildings that things are going too fast.
Essentially it seems NPHET and the government are banking on the vaccination programme ramping up to an extent that will offset any impact on hospital and ICU numbers, even if the number of new cases starts to rise.
TIMELINE FOR REOPENING
4th May
- All construction can resume
- inter county travel
- galleries , museums, libraries open
- click and collect available (full retail reopening 17th May
- Hairdressing / Beauticians can open
- religious services with 50 people
- outdoor training for adults , pods of 15
- Indoor private meeting for fully vaccinated people with no more than 3 vaccinated households
- Hotels, b&b and self catering can open
- outdoor services in bar and restaurants
- outdoor sports but no spectators
- Gyms and Pools and Leisure Centres
- Wedding guest receptions can increase to 25 people
