In a move that will surely relieve retail shop owners and restauranteurs, and indeed the wider population – and following a five-hour meeting of the Covid-19 Cabinet sub-committee last night – The Cabinet has approved a plan to allow all retail outlets, hairdressers, museums, libraries and gyms open next Tuesday, 1 December.

Friday 4 December will see the reopening of restaurants and pubs that have a kitchen and serve food, and finally, on December 18 until January 6, people can travel around the country and up to three households will be allowed to gather at one time.

The Government is advising that people wear masks in crowded outdoor areas during the Christmas period, and new rules are expected to be enforced, regarding the distance between tables in premises. The amount of time customers can stay in an establishment will also be reduced. The Cabinet is also likely to discuss if hotels will be able to open their restaurants to non-residents in December.

A consultant in infectious disease at Cork University Hospital, Professor Mary Horgan, said that understanding where outbreaks happen would help to break the chains of infection, and she warmed people to manage their expectations for Christmas and plan which people they want in their homes.

Prof Horgan also said good news is expected in 2021, with vaccines and more treatments available, which will be additional tools to work in tandem with personal behaviours to control the virus.