A "Freedom Day" from almost all remaining restrictions has been confirmed for next Monday.
The decision was formally ratified at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday morning after the three Government leaders, Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar and Greens chief, Eamon Ryan, signed-off on Monday night.
Speaking to reporters straight after the Cabinet meeting gave the green light, Mr Varadkar said that four specific decisions were made, with the end of masks and the scrapping of Covid rules in schools and childcare settings the main ones.
Monday will now see the end of masks in schools, shops, workplaces and on public transport.
The law that made it illegal not to wear a mask has now been dropped and masks now only have to be worn in certain healthcare settings.
An advisory remains in place to wear masks on public transport if it makes you feel more comfortable.
Mr Varadkar said: “We agreed at Cabinet to accept the latest advice from NPHET and that allows us to take the next steps towards living with Covid, as we learn to live with Covid as an endemic virus.
“Four decisions were made.
“First was that there would be no more vaccine mandates, so NPHET recommended that we should not have a vaccine mandate in Ireland for the general public or for healthcare workers and we will continue with our policy of explaining to people and encouraging people to get boosted - and that position was reaffirmed today as well.
“We also agreed that mask mandates would end on the 28th of February, that’s next Monday.
“So as of next Monday there’ll be no legal requirement to wear a mask anymore in any setting.
“But it will still be advised in public transport and healthcare settings for the time being.
“Of course there are people who may wish to still wear a mask and they’re free to do so and people who have underlying conditions, who are immunocompromised, who are vulnerable, may wish to continue to do so and of course there is no reason why they should not.
“And also people who have very mild symptoms or who are just recovering from very mild symptoms might decide to wear a mask as well.
“In relation to schools, childcare and early learning settings, the requirement for pods, staggered breaks and physical distancing ends next Monday.
“And so there will be a normal school and childcare experience from Monday.
“However, some recommendations will remain in place, including recommendations around hygiene, ventilation and advice that people should stay at home if they’re sick, children rather, should stay at home if they’re sick.”
Mr Varadkar also added that rules on testing and close contacts will be tweaked.
