CABINET is due to meet with the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) on Monday to discuss potentially easing restrictions at the start of next month.
On Tuesday, a comprehensive announcement is expected on what changes are to be made to the country's current public health measures, and how lockdown will work moving forward.
April 5 had been initially earmarked as the day when restrictions in Ireland are to be significantly eased, but recent reports indicate that there will only be very minor changes at best.
Government sources have revealed that getting haircuts and visiting pubs won't be allowed until mid-summer at the earliest, and aren't being considered for Tuesday's announcement.
It's understood that Taoiseach Micheál Martin told Fianna Fáil colleagues that the Covid situation in Ireland was "very fragile" and that no decisions would be rushed, but here's what they will be discussing and considering on Monday:
- Lifting the 5km travel limit
- Easing limitations on outdoor gatherings
- Reopening the construction industry
- Easing restrictions on sport
There's no telling yet whether the Government will proceed with any of these notions, but they're reportedly on the table.
However the Taoiseach has warned that no decisions will be made before Monday's meeting takes place.
According to the Irish Mirror, the "best case scenario" is that all four will be eased or lifted from April 5, but there's just as likely a chance that nothing will change for the time being.
It's understood that the 5km travel limit will take priority, followed by outdoors gatherings, then construction, and finally sport.
If case numbers do not improve, then considerations over easing restrictions on sport will be the first to be thrown out, although the Government is reportedly "keen" to get children active again following over a year of inactivity.
See More: Covid-19, Irish Government, Lockdown, Micheál Martin
