Indoor hospitality in pubs, cafés and restaurants in Northern Ireland resumes today, in the latest phase of lifting Covid-19 restrictions there.
It represents a significant easing of public health restrictions imposed during the pandemic.
Today, six people from an unlimited number of households can sit inside together in pubs, cafés and restaurants. This number does not include children.
Public health mitigations mean it will be table service only, with contact tracing measures and social distancing of a minimum of one metre required.
The reopening of hotels and B&Bs today is also a further boost to the hospitality and tourism sector.
Indoor visitor attractions like cinemas, museums, galleries and libraries can also welcome patrons back today.
Limits on social gatherings have also been relaxed, with six people from two households now able to meet up indoors in private homes, and overnight stays allowed.
The "stay local" message has also been removed, with limited foreign travel and summer holidays abroad now a possibility again.
People in Northern Ireland will be able to travel to 12 countries on its "Green List" without having to self-isolate on their return.
Countries on the green list include Portugal, Iceland, Gibraltar, Australia and New Zealand.
Passengers will still be required to take PCR tests before and after returning to Northern Ireland from a Green list country.
Travel within the common travel area (UK, Republic of Ireland, Channel Islands and Isle of Man) will also be allowed without having to self-isolate, but public health advice states that passengers should take Lateral Flow tests pre and post departure.
The last phase of reopening allowed for individual training only in gyms and swimming pools.
However, today's further easing will mean all indoor and outdoor sport and leisure venues can open, and that group exercise and training can resume.
It is a good day for sports fans too, with up to 500 spectators allowed to attend outdoor sports events.
The reopening measures were agreed by the Stormont Executive last week.
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First Minister Arlene Foster said that the impacts of the pandemic will continue to be felt deeply but that the reopening is great news for Northern Ireland's people and economy and that "in moving forward, there is hope".
Ms Foster urged caution and said people should "enjoy these hard-won freedoms safely".
"We must continue to do all we can as a community to keep ourselves and each other safe and I appeal to everyone to be cautious to help ensure we can keep heading in the right direction."
Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill said the relaxations today will have wide-reaching benefits for individuals, families, businesses and workers.
"After what has been an incredibly tough time for everyone, we want people to take the good of being able to do the things they have missed"
But Ms O’Neill echoed the calls for caution. "As we look forward to better times, it is crucial that everyone continues taking steps to stop the virus from spreading. The last year has taught us that we can’t take anything for granted, so we are urging everyone to stay safe, be careful and help protect this good progress."
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland programme the Director of the Omniplex Cinema Group - which operates on both sides of the border - said that while it is a good day for the 16 cinemas they run in Northern Ireland, there was "no joy" for the cinema industry in the Republic.
Mark Anderson said the reopening date for cinemas in the south was slated to be 7 June, but they have had "no assurances" that this will be the case.
He said the industry has been "haemorraging staff" and they cannot provide job security.
"Trying to entice and attract those staff members back to the industry without an opening date is impossible", he said. "It just can't be done".
There are eight cinemas in Northern Ireland that are within 20km of the border, Mr Anderson said, adding that he "absolutely" expects people to head north to see a movie.
