Covid restrictions are being scrapped in many countries as a number of nations open back up following the Omicron wave.
Masks, social distancing, vaccine certs and other measures are being eased due to the milder form of the virus.
In England, the work from home guidance has been lifted as the country gets back to normal.
But when will Ireland be free of Covid rules?
While no date has been set in stone yet, there are hopes the Government will announce a similar stance next week.
NPHET will meet on February 17 to discuss the impact an easing of restrictions will have on the country.
NPHET recently fully backed an early easing of restrictions, and Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan also claimed it is safe to 'return to our daily lives'.
So it's possible an end date to restrictions will be announced late next week.
He said: “I wish to assure those who may be anxious that the risks associated with Covid-19 are greatly reduced through vaccination and that, with appropriate caution, they should go about their daily lives,” his statement says.
“It is important that people are assured that, while the pandemic is not over, it is safe to return to the activities we all enjoy – in terms of socialising, exercise, family, work and travel.”
Speaking to RTÉ’s Morning Ireland recently, Taoiseach Micheal Martin said: “I think we can look forward to an earlier lifting of restrictions than we might have anticipated.”
Despite Ireland and the UK's planned easing of restrictive measures, the WHO has insisted the pandemic is not over.
Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stressed that any feeling of safety can "change in a moment" despite many countries seemingly returning to normal.
Just this week, Tonga extended their Covid lockdown, China locked down a city near Vietnam and restrictions were heightened in Hong Kong.
The WHO chief said: “We know this virus will continue to evolve. But we are not defenceless. We have the tools to prevent this disease, to test for it, and to treat it.
"Where people have access to those tools, this virus can be brought under control. Where they don’t, this virus continues to spread, to evolve, and to kill"
“Depending on where you live, it might feel like the Covid-19 pandemic is almost over, or, it might feel like it is at its worst.
“But wherever you live, Covid isn’t finished with us.”
