Coronavirus: Restrictions in Republic to be eased on Monday

The Irish Government has approved the first phase of easing Covid-19 restrictions from Monday.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said that the announcement is not cause for celebration and urged people to wear facemasks on public transport to curb the spread of the virus.

"We have a long way to go and we have to keep our guard up," he added.

"The next review will take pace on June 5. We need to keep following these guidelines.

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"Our progress depends on all of us doing what we have been doing.

"As we come into contact with more people the opportunity for the virus to spread increases.

"To go to work if your workplace is open, to shop for items you need and exercise within 5km of home, for medical reasons and to meet friends or family."

Mr Varadkar has urged the public to wear face coverings when on public transport and in enclosed spaces.

"The only thing that is inevitable is the spread of the virus if we don't push it back," he added.

"We are bound together in this great national effort and we must rely on each other."

However, he said it will not be a legal requirement for people to wear a face covering.

"We will be asking to wear them in busy enclosed spaces like a shop but it is not going to be a legal requirement. The reason for that is that all the science around it indicates it may be beneficial, it is not a substitute for washing your hands properly and social distancing," he said.

He said videos will be made available so that people can learn to make them at home and how to wear them.

Health Minister Simon Harris said under-13s will not be asked to wear them.

Chief medical officer Tony Holohan said face coverings "are not magic shields".

"Hand washing has to be maintained - we don't want the message to get out that people do not have to wash their hands or social distance."

Mr Holohan said the face coverings are a supplement to other Covid-19 measures.

"The evidence is not very strong in relation to the value of face coverings and we have evidence that with this disease, hand transmission is key.

"Face coverings are an additional hygiene measure. It is not a magic bullet for this disease and that has to be understood."

Mr Varadkar said from Monday, the public will be able to meet small groups of four people outside while keeping two metres apart.

"Some mainly in outdoor work will be able to start work again, for example construction work, gardeners and people tending to allotments," he added.

"Some more stores will reopen and you will be able to shop again in garden centres, hardware stores, and farmers' markets, or get your eyes tested or your car, motorbike or bicycle fixed.

"As part of your daily exercise you will be able to play a game of tennis, or a round of golf, exercise and fitness classes outdoors in small groups of up to four people, once you don't travel beyond 5km to do so.

"Some public amenities such as public beaches and mountain walks will reopen.

"In every single case it is vital that we maintain a physical distance of 2 metres."

Mr Varadkar added: "In three weeks' time, on Friday, 5 June, I fervently hope to be here to announce that we will move to Phase Two. A further relaxation of restrictions.

"This depends on the progress we make between now and then. Nothing is guaranteed.

"The only thing that is inevitable is the spread of the virus unless we push it back every day.

"Coronavirus is a fire in retreat, but it is not defeated. We must extinguish every spark, quench every ember.

"We are all bound together in this great national effort and we must rely on each other if we are to succeed."

Minister for Health Simon Harris said: "In the face of great challenge the control you are showing has prevented a catastrophe.

"We are so grateful for all you have done. We also know that many lives have been lost and much pain endured.

"Each phase of our experience requires us to embrace new and unfamiliar ways to stay safe.

"We are asking some more of you to stay at home, stay at a safe distance.

"We are also asking you to help us as we take the first step to a new normal.

"We are going slowly knowing this is the safest way to go forward."

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said they are not in a position to announce when schools will reopen.

He said he has received correspondence from parents who are concerned about the amount of time their children are spending outside of school.

"They are really concerned about their kids and worry that they might be regressing and their speech is disimproving - that is really worrying and distressing. We are trying to do a lot of work in that area and while it is advanced, it is not done yet so we are not in a position to confirm anything yet."

Business Minister Heather Humphreys announced a new scheme providing grants of up to 10,000 euro to small businesses looking to reopen while adhering to new public health safety requirements.

She said almost the entire workforce in the accommodation and food sector are on Government wage supports.

She said the new scheme will be available to businesses with a turnover of less than 5 million euro and have a workforce of fewer than 50 people.

Speaking at a press conference in Government Buildings on Friday she said with some businesses reopening on Monday, the safety of workers will be kept in mind.

She said the Health and Safety Authority will work with businesses collaboratively but if they do not comply with new safety protocols, the Health and Safety Authority has the power to take enforcement action up to closing businesses.

Mr Varadkar also confirmed that horse racing will be able to resume behind closed doors from June 8.

He said the racing events will not be open to spectators.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said it will not be an easy time to go into Government after the Labour Party said on Friday it will not enter government formation talks with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael.

"I can understand why the Labour Party do not want to go back into Government again. But I am sorry to hear it. We had a message from the Social Democrats and they said they would not meet us to talk about formig a government. That is not a surprise because it is a party that was formed by people from the Labour Party who did not want to join the government so it was always unlikely that they would want to do so on this occasion.

"I am still confident that we can form a programme for government by the end of the month and then put it to our various parties for ratification and be in a position to form a government by the middle of June."

Mr Varadkar said he could not rule out tax increases when the next government is formed but said his party Fine Gael, do not support income tax increases.

"It may be necessary down the line to increase some taxes. All three parties have agreed that the carbon tax will have to be increased.

"Certainly, my party has taken a very strong position that we would not increase the 12% corporation tax because more than ever we are going to need foreign direct investment to get the economy going again and to support jobs.

"We do not support an increase to USC or income tax because we need to support domestic demand. This recession will turn into a depression if we are in a position where we get back to cutting people's pay, welfare or increasing people's income tax.

"It is not a blanket ruling out of increasing income tax - that would not be a credible position."