Ireland

Taoiseach announces Level 5 lockdown extended until April 5th in Republic

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said level five lockdown restrictions will likely remain in place until the end of April. Picture by PA
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said level five lockdown restrictions will likely remain in place until the end of April. Picture by PA Taoiseach Micheál Martin said level five lockdown restrictions will likely remain in place until the end of April. Picture by PA

The highest level of coronavirus restrictions will continue in Ireland until April 5 at least, the Taoiseach has confirmed.

Micheál Martin said the Republic of Ireland is “driving down the levels of infection”, but said the emergence of the UK variant had made the situation very different to what it was several months ago.

The Taoiseach said the B117 variant now accounts for 90% of new infections in the Republic of Ireland.

“The truth is that it has changed the dynamic significantly and we need to be very careful as we take the next steps forward,” he said.

He made the announcement in a live address to the nation from Government buildings, outlining the revised Living With Covid plan.

It was signed off by the Cabinet earlier.

Level Five measures are to remain in place until after Easter.

The Taoiseach said there will be a difference in the Level 5 restrictions going forward with the phased reopening of schools from March 1.

Junior and senior infants, as well as first and second class in primary schools, will be among the first back to school.

Leaving Certificate students are also expected to return to the classroom next week.

The next phase is set to include outdoor gatherings, some sporting activities, the gradual reopening of construction and movement on the 5k limit on non-essential journeys.

A further 45 deaths of patients who tested positive for coronavirus in Ireland were announced on Tuesday, along with a further 575 confirmed cases of the virus.

The Taoiseach said it is “critically important” that people do not let their guard down.

“When we open things, we want them to stay open, that is why I cannot overemphasise the importance of continued observance of Level 5 restrictions,” he said.

Mr Martin said all those working from home must continue to do so.

“We want to reopen society as soon and as safely as possible, so if we can maintain downward pressure on the disease and keep our numbers low we will then move into the next phase,” he said.

Turning to the vaccination programme, the Taoiseach said more than 350,000 doses have been administered and a “major ramping up” will commence.

This will include small local GP surgeries and pharmacists, and community and regional vaccination centres.

“We are implementing a programme of vaccination on a scale that is unprecedented in the country’s history,” Micheal Martin said.

“By the end of March, we will have administered 1.25 million doses, then depending on vaccines arriving as scheduled, we would administer on average more than one million doses per month during April, May and June.”

He said they aim to have administered first doses to 40% of people over the age of 18 by the end of April, 64% by the end of May and up to 82% of adults by the end of June.

Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald described the announcement by the Taoiseach as “difficult news for people this evening”.

“I think there was an expectation that any change would be minimal but nonetheless this means a number of weeks of still very severe lockdown and huge levels of stress and disruption that all of that brings,” she told RTE.

Mrs McDonald queried why no further detail around a plan to emerge from restrictions had been announced.

“I have no confidence in this Government, I fail to see given the level of chaos, confusion and rivalry, and dithering, a really toxic mixture that we have seen from this Government, how anyone in real terms could have confidence in them,” she said.

“They need to pull themselves together, give themselves a shake and what we need now is a steady, thoughtful, sustainable plan to get us out of these restrictions and to keep people safe thereafter.

“That means testing, tracing, vaccination and it also means that while people cannot stray beyond 5k from their house, people should not be coming in through our airports.”