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.
PCR testing is also set to be scaled down - most under 55s with symptoms won't be eligible to get one.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly says they'll keep monitoring any new variants that emerge: "Obviously we're still watching around the world for variants of interest, and variants of concern.
"What we need to maintain is the capacity to step back up again if needed.
"While today is a very positive day in standing down the public health measures we do obviously need that rapid response ability."
