Cabinet are meeting this afternoon to sign off on the Living with Covid Plan.
Level 5 restrictions will be extended until at least April 5th, with construction remaining shut for another month.
Clare’s Sinn Fein TD say clarity would be welcome, but has criticised the Government over ongoing leaks ahead of annoucnements.
Last night the cabinet sub-committee on COVID agreed to extend Level 5 restrictions until at least April 5th, when there will be a review.
The only changes will be the re-opening of schools and childcare.
Leaving Cert students, and primary students up to 2nd class will return to the classroom next Monday, March 1st, while 5th years and the remainder of primary students will be back on March 15th.
The rest of secondary school students won’t be back until after Easter, on the 12th of April.
Childcare will return on a staggered basis with those on the ECCE scheme being back from March 8th and all others on March 29th.
Elaine Dunne from the Federation of Early Childcare Providers say they’re ready but nervous about a full reopening.
There will be no re-opening for construction next month, which some Ministers believe will lead to a housing hangover later this year.
And for many businesses, it’s unlikely that today will bring much in the way of clarity as the plan won’t include beyond April for when parts of the economy can re-open.
Clare Independent TD Michael McNamara says the Government should be giving people more concrete details.
Clare’s Sinn Féin TD agrees that more clarity would be welcome.
Violet Anne Wynne has also criticised the Government for leaks ahead of today’s announcement, saying it’s unfair to the people whose lives’ are being turned upside down by ongoing restrictions.
