For better or worse, it’s back to the office.

Ireland enters the next stage of its grand reopening today, and it is hard to imagine a more seismic change than the phased return to office work.

While many workplaces are expected to embrace “blended” or “hybrid” working – a mixture of office-based work and working from home – for lots of people today represents their first time back in the office in over 18 months.

Work Safety Protocols will remain in place, meaning that offices will be expected to abide by rules such as two-metres social distancing, and wearing of face coverings. This likely means that offices will continue to operate at a reduced capacity, with employees returning to the workplace on a staggered basis.

Welcome back to everyone returning to the workplace, and to all the arts, sports and cultural activities re-opening today.

Another important milestone as we emerge from the pandemic – one made possible by the efforts of the Irish people and our successful vaccine rollout.

— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) September 20, 2021

Another major change is the lifting of all restrictions on outdoor activities. Indoor activities will also see restrictions eased, with things like sports, arts, culture and dance classes now permitted to have 100 people indoors at a time.

The next phase of Ireland’s reopening comes on October 22nd, which will see an almost total removal of all restrictions, if things go according to plan. This would include a removal of the mandate for physical distancing and mask-wearing indoors, as well as all restrictions being lifted on the entertainment industry.

More than 90% of Ireland’s adults are now fully vaccinated, with 1,224 new cases of Covid confirmed among the population yesterday.