The cabinet has agreed to end the legal requirement to wear a mask from next Monday.
They'll be optional on public transport and in shops and schools - after an agreement reached by Cabinet.
Government party leaders last night agreed to accept NPHET's advice on mask-wearing in public settings.
This morning, Cabinet gave the green light for them to become optional from the start of next week.
"Obviously we're still watching, very carefully around the world, for variants of interest and variants of concern," said Health Minister Stephen Donnelly.
"What we need to maintain is the capacity to step back up again - if needed," Minister Donnelly added.
"So while today is a very positive day in standing down some of the public health measures, we do obviously need that rapid response ability."
PCR testing is also set to be scaled down - most under 55s with symptoms won't be eligible to get one.
