The cabinet is meeting around now to make final decisions on what restrictions can be eased over the next month.
Ministers are expected to take a cautious approach after a stark warning from NPHET last night about the risks of a fourth wave.
It looks now as though no restrictions will be eased on April 5th as the government adopts a more cautious approach.
Ministers have said they want nothing to endanger the full re-opening of schools on the 12th – and so any easing of other restrictions will be done on a phased basis through April.
That will include allowing people to travel within their county, the phased return of construction starting with home building, and the return of underage sport training.
Golf and tennis are set to be allowed along with meet-ups with one other household in an outdoor setting.
There will be a big focus on what can be safely done outdoors as the weather picks up.
A number of Ministers have said NPHET’s briefing last night was grim, with warns of a resurgence of the virus by summer if they go too far.
The challenge for Micheál Martin when he addresses the nation later will be to craft a message that gives people hope and wins them back onside, while also sticking to strict public health advice.
As this afternoon’s Cabinet meeting begins, a number of Clare government representatives are openly admitting that a large portion of the population are flouting the 5km rule.
They’re among the growing number of politicians calling for some reprieve to be given to people later today.
Quin-based health advocate John Wall, speaking today on Clare FM’s Morning Focus, is among those who says large numbers of people are now yearning for a break.
Hopes will be cast towards tonight’s announcement by the Taoiseach, on the next phase of COVID restrictions. And while a cautious approach is needed, a number of politicians are also calling for changes.
Inagh Green Party Senator Roisín Garvey feels people need to be allowed some freedom, but she maintains that allow inter-county travel at this point would be too dangerous.
Clare’s Fianna Fail Senator is also calling on the Government to allow people more freendom.
Timmy Dooley wants people to be able to travel between counties to visit loved ones who have already been vaccinated.
He says people shouldn’t be criminalised for breaching COVID-19 restrictions.
NPHET’s briefing to a group of Ministers last night was described as “grim”, and their warnings, and the experience of a surge in cases and deaths after Christmas, means prudence will likely be the order of the day when Micheál Martin makes his address tonight.
One former Clare Fianna Fáil Minister, in outlining the difficulties faced by government, has said he believes one of the top priorities will be to avoid a repeat of that scenario.
Tony Killeen believes there are a number of positives to latch onto, including the rollout of the vaccine, but he says there are some negatives to be wary of as well.
