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28th Apr 2020

Virus levels not ‘low enough’ to considerably ease #Covid-19 restrictions, Cabinet told

Jade Hayden

The current restrictions are in place until at least May 5.

Levels of Covid-19 are not “low enough” to considerably ease restrictions next week, the Cabinet has been told.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Minister for Health Simon Harris brief the Cabinet earlier today regarding Ireland’s lockdown restrictions amid the coronavirus pandemic.

RTÉ News reports that there were “mixed views” concerning the possible extension of social distancing measures currently in place to curb the spread of the virus, but that some ministers agreed there should be “a little bit of give” on some of the restrictions.

“The Taoiseach and Minister Harris briefed Cabinet on the national response to Covid-19,” reads a statement issued by a Government spokesman.

“Cabinet heard that as of today, there are no indications that disease levels are low enough to enable any easing of restrictions on May 5th.”

The National Public Health Emergency Team are due to meet on Friday, May 1, ahead of another Cabinet meeting later that day.

An update will be issued in due course.

Ireland’s current lockdown restrictions are in place until May 5. These include not exercising outside of a 2km radius, standing at least two metres away from other people, and not travelling for any non-essential reasons.

The country’s death toll stands at 1,102. There are 19,648 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Ireland.