Taoiseach Micheal Martin has given an eerie lockdown warning as earliest dates that pubs, restaurants and hairdressers can open has been speculated behind closed doors.
The Fianna Fail leader has described the current state of the country as "fragile" with rising Covid infections continuing to plague Ireland.
His Tanaiste Leo Varadkar also warned fellow members of cabinet that the rise in cases was a "definite cause of concern" and one of the biggest struggles of the third virus wave.
But in a promising twist, there has also been a 42% increase in the number of people being referred for testing in the last week.
The Government are understood to make a decision on future of restrictions from April 5 onwards from Tuesday with NPHET set to meet with Cabinet before the end of this week.
One of the changes expected is on travel restrictions which could be bumped up to 10km.
It comes as haircuts and pints are firmly “off the table until mid-summer”.
This means that the whole country will not be able to have a pint at a bar, or get their hair cut or styled by a professional for at least nine more weeks.
It’s believed that May 24 may be the next date that could see the return for hairdressers, but sources stress that even this far-off date is completely dependent on Covid case and vaccination numbers between now and then.
Bars and restaurants are expected to remain closed until at least the middle of June - or possibly longer.
A senior Government source told Dublin Live when asked about haircuts and pints: “I’m afraid they’re off the table for now, until mid-summer really.”
He added: “They are not in the running at all for next Tuesday’s announcement.”
