The Taoiseach says he is increasingly confident about being able to move to Phase One of lifting the Covid-19 restrictions on Monday.
Leo Varadkar told the Dáil that the National Public Health Emergency Team will meet today to conduct its assessment and Cabinet will make a decision tomorrow after it receives its advice.
Four people who do not live together can meet outdoors while keeping at least 2 metres apart in Phase One.
It also means that while shops that are primarily outdoor, such as garden centres, hardware stores or farmers’ markets, can reopen so long as social distancing measures can be put in place.
Mr Varadkar said that thanks to the majority of people following the guidelines we have slowed the virus.
He added the Government’s mission is to get businesses open again and get the economy “humming” so we have the resources we need to build a better society.
He said the first steps to re-awaken the economy will be done slowly and at all times there will be an intense focus on the virus.
He said four guiding principles will be followed – isolate, test, trace and treat – so we can quickly react if things go wrong and if there is an increase in cases.
The Taoiseach likened the virus to a fire in retreat and said we must quench its every spark.
Tags:
