Masks are no longer mandatory in hospital settings.
The rule, which was introduced back in 2020 to protect against Covid-19, is officially being lifted today.
However, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre says face coverings should still be worn around patients displaying coronavirus symptoms.
Infectious disease specialist, Professor Sam McConkey is welcoming the move but says many people still feel very afraid of catching Covid-19.
"The fear and the, the trauma, I would say of two and a half years of restrictions have left a significant imprint of anxiety on people.
"I think over the next six months a year, we need to help people to re-establish their social connections and their confidence in going out.
"We had social distancing, but now we should be looking at "social intimacy" and "social friendships" and building social networks. These are all essential parts of our life".
