A further 401 Covid-19 cases have been confirmed this evening.
Meanwhile sadly another 15 Covid-19 related deaths have been confirmed.
Of the deaths notified today, 2 occurred in April, 3 in March, 6 in February, 4 in January or earlier.
The figures were announced by the National Public Health Emergency Team this afternoon.
They come as Tanaiste Leo Varadkar cast doubt on the the prospect of lifting inter-country travel ban in the coming weeks.
And Mr Varadkar said that June is “too soon” for fully vaccinated Irish people to travel abroad for summer holiday
The Tanaiste echoed Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney who stated although the EU green passport will be up and running in June, Irish people will be urged not to book flights.
However, Mr Coveney said there is “good news on the horizon” for non-essential travel over the coming months.
However, he said any changes to travel advice will be gradual.
Mr Varadkar told the Irish Mirror June is too soon for fully vaccinated people to plan trips abroad and any easing of rules on international travel will only be permitted after our economy and society is largely reopened.
He said he will make the case for international travel when it is safe to do so but said “we’re just not there for June, it’s going to be later in the summer or later in the year.”
Cabinet will meet next week and reveal their plan for the easing of restrictions over May, June and July.
However, Tanáiste Leo Varadkar has cast doubt on lifting the inter-county travel ban in early June.
The Taoiseach has already said the reopening of hotels and B&Bs may be permitted in June.
Mr Varadkar said: “To anyone who is booking fair enough but make sure that you look at the terms and conditions and that it’s refundable if inter-county travel is not possible.
“This virus keeps surprising us and June is a long way away and six weeks is a long time away in a pandemic.”
The Fine Gael leader said evidence in recent days has shown there is a decline in Covid-19 cases dropping and even increasing slightly.
He said: “We’re still in a space of phased reopening of retail, personal services and some more outdoor activities being allowed and the full opening of construction being phased over May, early June period.
“I don’t think it’ll be much more than that to be frank.”
