Tanaiste Simon Coveney revealed the heavy restrictions imposed to slow the deadly coronavirus outbreak could last longer than expected.
He said the current measures may not end after April 12th, adding that this was an “initial deadline” the government had set, the Tanaiste revealed at a briefing today.
Mr Coveney’s announcement comes ahead of a Cabinet sub-committee meeting taking place today, which will review Ireland’s current lockdown measures.
He said: “As you know the government takes its advice from the Chief Medical Officer. I think people do need to realise that these restrictions may go on for some time.
“I think it’s wrong to put a timeline on it.
“We’ve set an initial period, but I think it may well be that we’ll need to go beyond that initial deadline. But again, that will be a decision taken with the best public health advice we can get.”
Heavy lockdown measures were imposed across the country to battle the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic last Friday.
Last week, Minister for Health Simon Harris said the current measures are not sustainable for a long period of time.
Speaking on RTE Radio One, he said: "You cannot ask people to sustain this for a very long period. That's why we are really asking people to double down now for the next two weeks, it's going to be tough."
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