UK PM Boris Johnson (pictured, above) and Ireland Taoiseach Micheal Martin announced separately yesterday that most gathering restrictions related to COVID-19 will begin to be relaxed today because incidence of the Omicron variant has peaked in those countries.

Mr. Johnson confirmed that most restrictions imposed under "Plan B", and also work-from-home guidance, will end on 26 January. Mandatory COVID-19 passes for entering nightclubs and events will end 27 January, as will some face-mask rules. The PM credited the UK's "extraordinary booster campaign" for the drop in numbers of new infections.

Mr. Johnson added that announcements on UK travel restrictions will be forthcoming soon.

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will also be loosening most COVID-19 restrictions, as case numbers there have begun to fall across the UK.

In Ireland, bars and restaurants will no longer have to close at 8 PM, or to verify that customers have been vaccinated. And capacity restrictions on indoor and outdoor venues will be removed. But masks will continue to be required on public transport and in shops until the end of February.