Taoiseach Micheal Martin will tonight address the nation as he outlines plans to life a raft of Covid-19 restrictions.
The Taoiseach has previously said that he will give a "comprehensive" plan of what is to come next month as well as promising to give some clarity as to what we can expect throughout the summer..
While it has previously been indicated that a number of key areas had bee n earmarked for the month of May, leaks and rumours began to swirl last night that the Government would be lifting certain restrictions earlier than expected.
Ministers had already previously confirmed that the plan for May was to ensure the return of construction in full, reopen hairdressers, barbers and other personal services as well as the return to some outdoor activities.
Previously it had been confirmed that these would definitely happen however it had been suggested by Government that these would return on a staggered basis. However that has since changed with May 10 the likely date for the lifting of many restrictions.
The following changes are set to come into effect from May 10;
- Inter-county travel returns
- Hairdressers/barbers/beauticians are back
- Three households can meet in a back garden
- Click and collect shopping resumes
Vaccinated households can meet with another household indoors
- 50 people allowed at funerals and wedding services, but only 6 can come to the afters of the wedding.
Cabinet are also debating whether or not all non-essential retail shops can open fully on May 17.
Pubs and Hospitality
There had been little indication as to when pubs and hospitality had been set to resume however last night it emerged that country might see the return of outdoors pubs in early June.
On June 2, hotels and B&Bs are expected to reopen their doors.
Five days later on June 7, it's expected that outdoor dining and drinking in pubs and restaurants can begin again, along with sports matches with no crowds in attendance.
No fixed date for indoor dining has been provided but July has been mentioned.
It's expected that gyms will be allowed to re-open for single-person training on June 7.
Taoiseach's announcement time
Currently a time for Micheal Martin's address has not been confirmed.
Cabinet will meet today throughout today to finalise their plans.
The Taoiseach will then address the nation this evening which likely won't be until around 6pm onwards as has previously been the case in the past.
