Ireland will begin to lift lockdown restrictions from next week, Leo Varadkar has confirmed.
As expected, the country will enter phase one of its 'roadmap' to reopening on Monday.
This means gatherings of up to four people not from the same household will be permitted once per day from May 18 onwards.
However, this will only be allowed as long as they live within 5km of each other, stay outside and that two-metre social distancing rules are adhered to at all times.
Follow all the latest news in our dedicated coronavirus live blog.
Outdoor workers will be allowed return to work.
DIY stores and garden centres, as well as any other shops that operate mostly outdoors, can resume business.
Homeware stores will not be allowed to reopen as originally planned.
The roadmap also suggests that public spaces where social distancing can be maintained such as car parks, beaches and mountain walks, will be reopened.
Golf courses and tennis courts will reopen for members who live within 5km.
The Taoiseach made the announcement from Government Buildings after a Cabinet meeting this morning.
It comes after a meeting of the National Public Health Emergency Team on Thursday evening, after which a recommendation was made to Government.
There have been 23,827 confirmed cases of the virus in Ireland to date.
Tragically, 1,506 people have lost their lives.
From Monday, the following measures will be allowed:
Phase 1 (May 18)
Allow outdoor meetings between people from different households
Phased return of outdoor workers
Open retailers which are primarily outdoor or those which were open during first level of restriction (e.g. opticians), and
Opening of certain outdoor public amenities.
For the latest news and breaking news visit irishmirror.ie/news.
Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.
Follow us on Twitter @IrishMirror - the official Irish Mirror Twitter account - real news in real time.
We're also on Facebook/irishmirror - your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Irish Daily Mirror, Irish Sunday Mirror and irishmirror.ie.
