Nursing home residents will be able to see more visitors and go on organised outings as restrictions are eased. Where around eight out of every 10 residents have been vaccinated, residents will be allowed have four visits, by two people each week.
Organised outings for residents by bus or car will also be possible, once there is a high level of vaccination among residents and if a risk assessment has been conducted in each case.
Sage Advocacy Executive Director Sarah Lennon said the new guidelines marked a vitally important step towards a more normal daily life for the country's estimated 32,000 nursing home residents and their families.