Ireland could be back to normal by St Patrick's Day according to a leading health expert.
DCU Professor Anthony Staines says that a hard lockdown in January, including the closure of schools, would have the country back close to normal by March.
If correct, it would see the pandemic restrictions come to an end nearly exactly a year after they were imposed.
The professor told Breakingnews.ie: "We’ve identified a strategy which we think would get Ireland back to normal by Paddy’s Day.
“Now that strategy is not zero cost. [The] price of it would be significant restrictions for January.
"One option that would make the restrictions end faster would be closing schools in January, opening in February and running the Leaving Cert at the end of June and into July."
The Professor added that he believes NPHET are right in imposing restrictions again this month with the situation looking precarious.
He added: "I’m afraid they’re probably taking the necessary actions and I take no joy in the necessity, but it is what was predicted in advance,” he said.
"One of the challenges I think for the Government and for all of us is this: at the moment we are reacting to the virus, so when the viral incidence changes, when the number of cases changes, we do something different, but we’re still chasing behind it."
