Some of the coronavirus restrictions in place are being eased slightly from today, but people are still being urged to stay at home wherever possible.
People are now being allowed travel up to 5km from their home for exercise - an increase from the previous limit of 2km.
Meanwhile, older people who have been cocooning are being told they can now leave their homes for exercise, as long as they stay away from other people.
People are still being urged to follow social distancing rules when outside the house.
The other restrictions in place remain in effect for another two weeks - at which point officials are planning to begin a phased reopening plan, but only if the number of COVID-19 cases, deaths and hospital admissions continues to decrease.
The first phase of the proposed roadmap is scheduled to begin on May 18th, and would see some outdoor workers - such as those in construction - being able to return to work.
Up to four people who don't live together would also be able to meet outdoors while keeping at least two metres apart.
For now, however, people are being told to stay at home wherever possible and not arrange gatherings with anyone outside their household.
It comes as figures released by the Department of Health yesterday evening showed there had been 16 further coronavirus-related deaths in the Republic - bringing the total to 1,319.
266 new cases of the virus were also confirmed, taking the total to 21,772.
Meanwhile, Ireland has pledged a further €18m to support the worldwide battle against the virus - bringing our contribution to a total of €78m.
In a live-streamed round-robin, heads of State yesterday announced their countries' contributions to the Global Vaccine Alliance (GAVI).
In a statement, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: “Working together we can develop an effective vaccine, effective treatments, testing systems that work, diagnostics and therapeutics. Ireland wants to play its part in this effort.
“Sooner or later we will defeat this virus. We will develop the vaccine that prevents it and the medicines that treat the disease. It is really important that nobody in the world is left out when that happens.”
