Level five restrictions are likely to continue until Easter, the Taoiseach has said.
Micheál Martin has said ‘high level of restrictions’ will continue until at least early April
However, he told Newstalk Breakfast the focus over the coming weeks will be on reopening schools and the construction sector.
He said it's the 'right thing to do' to proceed with caution while vaccines are rolled out over the coming months, and the country will be in a better position with each passing month.
The Taoiseach said there'll be 'greater clarity' by the end of the month on what an easing of restrictions will look like.
He also said he's hopeful people will be able to go on holidays within Ireland this summer.
Mr Martin has confirmed people arriving from a 'substantial' number of countries - such as Austria, UAE and several in sub-Saharan Africa - are expected to be added to the mandatory quarantine list by the end of today.
'High level of restrictions'
Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast, Mr Martin said: “I think in the first instance we do need to get the numbers down to very low levels - particularly the number of people in hospitals and intensive care.
“We don’t ever want to go back to the levels we saw during the third wave.
“Certainly until Easter, we’re looking at a high level of restrictions.”
Asked if that means level five until Easter, he said: “People can assume that… we’ll certainly take stock of stock over the next two weeks of in terms of how the virus is evolving.”
Mr Martin said the Government is aiming for a phased reopening of construction from March 5th, particularly so house-building can resume.
He said that he also believes a phased reopening of schools is manageable.
Clarity on this year's Leaving Cert will also be provided next week, he added.
Mr Martin said the Government understands the strain people are feeling at the moment, and measures for young people will be among the main priorities for easing restrictions.
