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Pints were pulled in pubs across Ireland again as the country took another stride out of lockdown.<\/p>\nPints were pulled in pubs across Ireland again as the country took another stride out of lockdown.<\/p>\n
Bars that serve food were able to welcome back customers on Monday after phase three of the Government\u2019s recovery plan came into force.<\/p>\n
Hairdressers have also reopened, and there were queues outside several salons and barbers first thing as people finally got the chance to get their lockdown locks cut.<\/p>\n
Gyms, pools and cinemas are also allowed to open, while small congregations can attend church services again.<\/p>\n
Parishioners attended morning mass on both sides of the border on Monday, as similar relaxations related to places of worship came into effect in Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n
It has been three-and-a-half months since pubs have been allowed to serve customers inside the premises.<\/p>\n
Those serving food are now allowed to trade and sell alcohol, so long as a meal worth nine euro is also served.<\/p>\n
At Mary Mac\u2019s in south Dublin, regular Angus Fleming said it was good to be back in the pub with familiar faces.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt makes life a little bit more real,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The Licensed Vintners Association (LVA) said that pubs reopening marked a \u201cmilestone moment in the recovery of the country\u201d.<\/p>\n
The LVA urged publicans to ensure they take responsibility and make sure social distancing guidelines are being met.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the public health situation improving, the reopening of pubs will be an indicator of Ireland\u2019s emergence from the lockdown,\u201d said chief executive of the LVA, Donall O\u2019Keeffe.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt will signal to the outside world that our country is beginning the journey back to normality and our economy is once again open for business.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pubs that do not serve food will be allowed to reopen on July 20.<\/p>\n
Monday also saw people flock to hairdressers to get much-needed tidy-ups.<\/p>\n
Among them was T\u00e1naiste Leo Varadkar, who got his hair cut ahead of the first meeting of the Ireland\u2019s newly formed cabinet.<\/p>\n
\u201cLunchtime hair trimming, finally,\u201d he tweeted in Irish.<\/p>\n
In Athy, Co Kildare, Kathleen Grufferty was one of the first back into the hairdressing chairs at the House of LA salon.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m very excited to be back and feel normal again,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was in at 9am this morning, it was great \u2013 one of the first.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Sporting activities, including close contact sports and team leagues for adults and children, were also allowed to resume on Monday, but spectator limits remain.<\/p>\n
Mass gatherings, including weddings, of 50 people indoors and 200 people outdoors are now also allowed.<\/p>\n
Also on Monday, face coverings have become compulsory on public transport as capacity on buses, trains and trams increased from 20% to about 50%.<\/p>\n
Wearing a face covering in crowded situations such as public transport was already being strongly recommended.<\/p>\n
Anne Graham, chief executive of the National Transport Authority, said people are being asked to do the right thing and exercise their personal responsibility.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cThis is an important part of efforts to build confidence in public transport as more people return to work over the coming weeks and months.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt this stage, our focus and that of the operators is on education, awareness and giving our customers every encouragement to wear a face covering.\u201d<\/p>\n
One more Covid-19 death was confirmed in Ireland on Sunday, bringing the death toll to 1,735.<\/p>\n
A further three cases of coronavirus were confirmed, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 25,439.<\/p>\n