People could be allowed to travel anywhere within their county from Monday next with pubs possibly opening earlier than usual - that's the latest from this morning's Cabinet meeting.
Early signs from the Phase 2 road map show that restrictions could be eased much quicker than expected with consideration being made to fast track the current plan.
As well as the public being allowed to travel within the boundaries of the county they are situated in, hotels and B&Bs are set to re-open at the end of June.
And these businesses could have two-metre social distance rules removed also as a result.
It's understood that the Government is also considering the possibility of some pubs opening earlier than planned and that travel restrictions could be lifted entirely much earlier than originally discussed.
It’s also understood that large chain stores will be fast tracked from ‘Phase 3’ on June 29th and allowed to open next week.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar raised eyebrows in the Dail when he said he had “proposed to NPHET” to accelerate elements of phases 3 and 4 of the plan.
Asked if he was surprised that Mr Varadkar was making proposals to the health team, Dr Holohan replied: “No.”
He said NPHET was not under any pressure to end the lockdown earlier than August 10 despite calls from the Taoiseach, Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin and business leaders yesterday.
Other planned phases at the moment are:
Phase 3 (June 29)
- Allow small social gatherings
- Opening of crèches, childminders and pre-schools for children of essential workers in phased manner
- Return to work for those with low levels of interaction
- Open non-essential retail outlets with street level entrance and exit
- Open playgrounds
Phase 4 (July 20)
- Opening of crèches, childminders and pre-schools for children of all other workers on a gradually increasing basis
- Return to work for those who cannot work from home
- Gradual easing of restrictions for higher risk services (e.g. Hairdressers)
- Opening of museums, galleries, places of worship
Phase 5 (August 10)
- Allow larger social gatherings
- Return to work across all sectors
- On a phased basis, commencing at the beginning of the academic year 2020/2021, opening of primary and secondary schools and 3 level institutions
- Further easing of restrictions on high risk retail services
