The plan, which was approved by the cabinet sub-committee on Covid-19 yesterday evening, will be brought before a full cabinet meeting this morning.
The cabinet sub-committee on Covid-19 has recommended that Level 5 restrictions be extended until April 5th at the earliest.
Agreeing that the highest level of restrictions should remain in place for at least another six weeks, officials will review the situation again in early April time. The country will have been in lockdown for over three months by the time restrictions are reviewed again.
Due to be brought before cabinet at a meeting this morning, Taoiseach Michéal Martin is expected to announce the government’s new Living with Covid plan later this afternoon. Previously commenting that the country is looking at a “continuation of severe restrictions certainly right into April”, he also warned that there won’t be widespread reopening of the economy next month.
So far, only schools and childcare facilities are set to reopen on a phased basis from March 1st. Leaving Certs along with primary school students from junior infants up to second class will be amongst the first to return to school, followed by students from other classes just two weeks later. Government will make the final decision on the matter today.
The new Living with Covid plan is also expected to include updates on the 5km exercise limit, household visits and a timeline of the reopening of the construction, hospitality, retail industries and more.
