Indoor visiting restrictions at nursing homes will start to be eased from March 22nd.
From then, residents will be able to have two visits per week on general compassionate grounds.
There will also be no requirement for facilities to limit visitors time with a resident to less than one hour.
The new visitation guidelines will apply to nursing homes in which there is high vaccine coverage.
Sage Advocacy said 30,000 residents across the country are desperately anxious to be safely reunited with their families.
Minister of State for Older People Mary Butler, says "It has been an incredibly difficult time for people living in nursing homes and their families as restrictions on visiting have continued. For many there has been limited opportunity since Christmas to see their loved ones.”
“The ongoing reduction in COVID-19 cases across the community and the significant progress made in vaccinating the majority of nursing home staff and residents will now result in a loosening of current visiting restrictions.
Nursing Homes Ireland CEO Tadhg Daly says "Resumption of in-person visits will bring great relief and happiness within our nursing homes."
