LEVEL FIVE LOCKDOWN in Ireland will be extended until late April or even early May, Leo Varadkar has warned.
Speaking at a Fine Gael party meeting this week, the Tánaiste revealed that the country should brace for another eight weeks of severe restrictions at the very least.
This is in spite of the Government's pledge that restrictions will be eased on April 5.
Varadkar supposedly told colleagues that aside from a few limited exceptions, "no further easing of restrictions will be considered until the end of April or early May," according to the Irish Mirror.
Last week, Mr Varadkar suggested that restrictions on outdoor activity, sports and construction could be lifted next month, as well as the 5km travel limit rule.
But now it appears that that may be all the Irish public get to look forward to for the time being, following the latest revelations.
An easing of restrictions on outdoor activity is expected to include the limited return of safe, outdoor sporting activities, as the Government is supposedly aware of the impact lockdown is having on the nation's collective mental health.
Elsewhere, Varadkar told colleagues that his party is "grateful to the Irish people" for the effort they've put in to suppress Covid-19 over the past few months.
He also said that he was optimistic the country could see as many as 300,000 vaccinations administered per week in April.
See More: Covid-19, Ireland, Leo Varadkar, Lockdown
