Irish people will be part of a largely unchanged lockdown for at least the next six weeks as NPHET warn of a 'considerable' fourth wave threat if restrictions are eased too soon.
This wave could be prevented say the health experts if we can continue on the same or a similar path that we've been on since the new year.
Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn will tell an Oireachtas Health Committee about the further wave of infection if drastic easing measures are implemented.
His warning is also extended to saying that social contact across the population must remain largely unchanged until at least mid-May if not further.
The Government and NPHET's priority over the next two months is to control the disease until vaccination can offer a near nationwide protection.
It comes as Ireland’s vaccination programme was rocked by more complications as the State’s advisory body on vaccines has said the AstraZeneca jab should only be given to people aged over 60.
Thousands of people who were due to get the shot on Tuesday and later this week now face having their appointments cancelled.
Health officials said they expect that 180,000 more people will receive vaccination against Covid-19 this week.
