The Covid safety rules change today.

Thanks to the emergence of the Delta variant, and concerns around rising case numbers, today is not going to be the grand reopening that was hoped for.

Even so, Monday morning marks a small step towards normality, with changes being made as far as attendance at outdoor events/events in large venues, and household visits for those who are fully vaccinated.

As planned, numbers for organised events can increase to 200 or 500 for stadia or venues with a capacity of over 5,000.

Weddings will be permitted to proceed on the basis of the expected changes, with 50 guests permitted to attend wedding receptions with protective measures. This marks out weddings as an exception to the rules regarding indoor activities, which have not changed. Sacraments such as baptism, communions and confirmations are not advised.

Other indoor activities – such as hospitality, dining, drinking, etc. – remain prohibited, with the government promising now to devise an “implementation plan” by July 19th.

Another significant change is that there are now no limits on household visiting for those who are “all fully protected by vaccination, or have recovered from COVID-19 infection in the previous 9 months.”

562 cases of Covid were confirmed in the Republic of Ireland yesterday.