A major relaxing on Monday of Covid-19 restrictions after five months of strict lockdown sees the return of non-essential retail by appointment, hairdressers and barbers, an easing of the rules around outdoor meetings and the resumption of religious worship in churches. Inter-county travel for non-essential reasons is now permitted. A queue forms outside Penneys on Henry Street in Dublin, which opened for appointment-only shopping on Monday ahead of a full reopening next week. Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys on Sunday night offered no indication of when the Government intends to begin tapering the payments. However, the Government is reviewing HSE proposals for changes in the vaccination programme which would include use of the J&J vaccines for younger people.

Source: The Irish Times May 10, 2021 02:49 UTC