The Cabinet will meet this afternoon to consider what changes might be made to level 5 restrictions after April 5th . Last night the Cabinet Covid sub committee met for 5 hours to consider the recommendations from the National Public Health Emergency Team.
The government have been advised by NPHET to be cautious about restrictions until a wider percentage of the population have been vaccinated. The Cabinet will consider a proposal to extend the 5km limit from the middle of next month. It is understood that the recommendation going to Government would see people be allowed to travel within counties from mid-April. The measure would replace the current 5km limit on travel permitted for exercise.
The recommendation is also expected to allow some flexibility for those living close to county boundaries, allowing them to travel possibly up to 20km into a neighbouring county. It is expected to adopt a plan that would allow more outdoor activities for people from the second half of April onwards. This includes the likely return of children’s sports training, senior GAA county training along with tennis and golf at that point.
The return to work of construction workers building homes is also expected in the middle of the month. The anticipated timing of these changes will either follow or occur around the same time that all primary and secondary school students are set to return to the classroom on 12 April.
