Ireland's travel restrictions: Latest Government hints as to when rules will allow countrywide travel

Ahead of an expected Government announcement next Thursday, the entire country has a number of questions about what the summer will look like.

One major issue seems to be the possibility of 'staycations' - but for those to be allowed, the current domestic travel rules would have to be loosened further.

As it stands, you can travel within your own county or within 20km of your home if crossing county boundaries.

And there are of course a number of reasons that you're able to break these restrictions, which you can see here.

But with a number of things under consideration from May 4, we could get further indication as to when domestic travel will be freely allowed.

What the leaders have said so far

In his address to the nation at the end of March, Mr Martin gave further indications on when other restrictions are likely to be lifted in the coming months.

He was optimistic about what summer could look like in 2021.

"Towards the end of May, and depending on progress, we will look at the reopening of hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses in the month of June," he said.

"We are on the final stretch of this terrible journey. This summer, our businesses and our public services will safely reopen.

"We will finally be meeting and enjoying the company of friends and family once again.

"We will be able to travel within and enjoy our beautiful country again. Jobs and livelihoods will be restored."

That would suggest that the Government's view at the moment is for all domestic travel to be allowed by the end of June.

The Wild Atlantic Way (stock) (Getty)

What the plan says

Levels 3 and 4 of the Government's original 'living with Covid' plan said the following in relation to domestic travel.

"Stay in your county apart from essential work, education and other essential purposes."

That's currently what we're falling under, despite the Government saying we're still at 'level 5'

But if Ireland entered Level 2, there would be absolutely no ban on domestic travel.

That plan also allows hotels and B&B's to open with protective measures in place as well as bars, restaurants, cafés and wet pubs.