Nightclubs and large events spaces in the Republic of Ireland will be allowed to reopen once again from this weekend.

It was announced today (January 21) that almost all COVID-19 restrictions in place in the country will be lifted from 6am on Saturday, January 22, with Taoiseach Micheál Martin confirming the news in a statement on Friday evening. Indoor and outdoor events will be allowed to operate at full capacity and proof of vaccine status or a negative COVID-19 test will no longer be required for entry at any event. Mask-wearing in other indoor public spaces will remain in place for now.

The news that clubs can reopen in the Republic comes after they were originally allowed to open again in late October, only to be hit by a midnight curfew weeks later and ordered to close entirely at the start of December. The decision also comes after the UK government confirmed earlier this week that it is dropping all COVID-19 entry requirements for nightclubs from January 26.