Indoor dining
Businesses around the country reopened for indoor dining today, with people who can provide proof of immunity permitted to eat and drink indoors once again.
The regulations to allow for the reopening to go ahead were signed by Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly shortly before midnight, with a late change also made to the operational guidelines for businesses, meaning the contact details of just one adult per group will have to be taken for contact tracing.
Many businesses said they are experiencing staff shortages, while hospitality representative groups have raised concerns that businesses and staff may receive the brunt of the public backlash while trying to implement the new guidelines.
Despite the concerns, Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) chief executive, Padraig Cribben said today "is a day of relief".
Covid vaccine uptake
Approximately 76 per cent of people aged between 18-30 have said they will opt to receive the Covid-19 vaccine according to new Ipsos MRBI data.
Young people are being urged to receive the jabs as infection rates continue to rise.
On Sunday, 1,126 new cases of the virus were reported in the Republic, with 123 people with Covid in hospital, 22 of whom were in intensive care.
HSE chief executive Paul Reid urged caution, particularly ahead of the further reopening of the hospitality sector, adding over 68 per cent of the adult population are now fully vaccinated, while 83 per cent are partially vaccinated.
Waterford drowning
A man has died after drowning at Tramore beach in Co Waterford on Sunday.
The man, aged in his 60s, was recovered from the water at approximately 5.30pm. His death was the seventh water-related fatality last week, coinciding with a period of hot weather.
Sunday was also UN Drowning Prevention Day, with Water Safety Ireland urging people to take care when in or near water.
Meath road crash
A man in his 60s has died following a single-vehicle collision in Co Meath on Sunday.
The crash took place shortly after 6.30pm near Navan with the man pronounced dead at the scene.
A motorcyclist (40s) was also killed in Co Donegal yesterday afternoon, after being involved in a collision with a jeep and a tractor.
Housing protest
A protest is due to take place outside the Department of Housing later today.
Raise the Roof are calling for urgent action to tackle the housing crisis.
Weather warning
A status yellow weather warning has been issued by Met Éireann, with rain and thunderstorms expected across the entire country.
Met Éireann is warning of heavy downpours that can lead to spot flooding and hazardous driving conditions.
The warning is in effect from 12pm on Monday to 5am on Tuesday.
