Hospitality venues are now permitted to play low-level background music again.
Pubs and restaurants have been banned from playing music, and televisions have been muted since 14 August.
The move was to avoid people having to talk loudly over recorded or live music – increasing the risk of Covid-infected saliva being spread in the air.
Guidance on how background sound can be managed safely has now been approved.
It will cover sound and entertainment systems – including jukeboxes and sporting events on TV – but not karaoke machines or live performances.