What we know so far about lifting restrictions

Government to unveil plans for lifting restrictions today

A plan to gradually lift Covid-19 restrictions is due to be outlined by the Taoiseach this evening.

The National Public Health Emergency Team will make a recommendation to Cabinet today on what Taoiseach Leo Varadkar called a “road map to reopen Ireland”, but it is expected that current restrictions, due to expire on May 5th, will largely remain in place for the coming weeks. The plan is also expected to be subject to ongoing changes over the summer months.

Cabinet will meet at 3pm to discuss the recommendations and the plans to lift restrictions, with the Taoiseach expected to announce his decision afterwards at around 6pm. Leo Varadkar is due to speak on RTÉ’s The Late Late Show tonight to further explain the current position.

According to The Journal, Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan indicated in a meeting with Cabinet ministers yesterday that the restrictions may need to be continued for a further three weeks.

Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan has also told ministers that he is sensitive to the wellbeing of older people saying, “we understand the challenges that represents for individuals, people over the age of 70, people in vulnerable groups, who we’ve asked to cocoon at home, it’s a very difficult measure.

“We won’t have those measures in place for any longer than we think is necessary”.

Health Minister Simon Harris has also stated that any changes will be grounded in medical advice.

Any adjustments expected to be announced today will be minimal, with the expectation of a further extension of quarantine and the possibility of a slight easing to the 2km rule, possibly to 5km according to The Journal.

Photography by Unsplash.

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