Most of the current coronavirus restrictions are being extended for another two weeks, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has confirmed.
Monday May 18th is now the day the country is set to begin the process of re-opening, with outdoor workers - such as those in construction and landscaping - to be allowed back to work from then.
Garden centres, hardware stores and a number of other retail outlets will also be allowed reopen, while small groups of families and friends will be able to meet outdoors.
Some sports and fitness activities will also be able to resume, but only within small groups.
There have been some changes to the current restrictions for now - with older people who have cocooning being able to leave their homes for exercise from next week 'if they avoid all contact with other people'.
Meanwhile, the distance from home in which people can exercise is to be increased from 2 to 5 kilometres from next Tuesday.
The Government has also unveiled details of a roadmap for the easing of the restrictions in the medium and long-term - described as the 'Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business after COVID-19'.
Mr Varadkar said five phases of easing restrictions will be spread across the coming months, with three weeks between each phase - meaning the final phase is currently planned for mid-August.
Varadkar says he's been advised "we could be back to square one" if restrictions are eased too soon. Says ICUs could be overwhelmed https://t.co/57jMvKDDqJ
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School and universities will be able to begin reopening from September in the new school year.
Later stages will see the reopening of more workplaces, businesses and childcare services, as well as the likes of restaurants, cafés, bars, cinemas and gyms.
However, there's a warning that plans could change if there is any new spike in cases of the virus.
In an address to the nation, the Taoiseach said the coronavirus curve has been flattened and now plateaued.
However, he said there are still too many COVID-19 deaths and new cases of the virus, while also pointing to the high number of COVID-19 patients in ICUs.
He said: "We must go on for a short time longer.
"We need two more weeks of tight restrictions to weaken the virus further."
Cabinet ministers signed off on the latest measures after meeting this afternoon to consider advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET).
The latest decisions come following a difference of opinion around the Cabinet table about what the way forward should be, with some ministers having called for some easing of restrictions in recent days.
Ministers are due to meet again tomorrow to discuss further measures to support businesses - with the Taoiseach acknowledging firms will need help to get started again and rehire staff who have been laid off or furloughed.
Separately, health officials confirmed this evening that there have been 34 further deaths from COVID-19 and 221 new cases in the Republic.
