The 5km travel limit and restrictions on outdoor meetings could be lifted from April 5th.
The government says it will consider lifting these measures if the transmission of the virus reaches acceptable levels, the vaccination programme progresses as planned and public health advice allows.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin says "we need to use the month of March to really drive down case numbers and get them as low as possible."
If case numbers are low enough and hospitals are coping with the virus, the following restrictions could be lifted from the 5th of April:
- Some easing of restrictions on outdoor activities and meetings beyond 1 other household;
- Consideration of extending the current 5km limit;
- Staggered start of easing of other areas of restriction with a focus on outdoor activities including sport and some areas of construction.
However, it could be May before further restrictions are lifted.
In a statement, the government says "Any further easing of restrictions after 5th April will need a further three to four week period to allow for assessment of the impact of changes."
