Prognosis

Ireland Ends Early Pub Closings as Most Covid Restrictions Scrapped

  • Limit on pub hours is lifting, return to office starts Monday
  • Prime minister says key numbers point in right direction

Prime Minister Micheal Martin

Photographer: Christopher Goodney/Bloomberg
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Ireland is dropping most pandemic restrictions, including early closing times for bars and restaurants and a work-from-home order, Prime Minister Micheal Martin said.

It’s the latest sign that Europe’s approach to Covid-19 is shifting toward something resembling a road back to normal as concern surrounding the omicron variant eases even amid record cases. England this week outlined a dramatic move to scrap rules for people to mask in shops and end mandatory isolation. France also will relax curbs.