Lockdown 5km limit: What could replace the strict travel rule ahead of Government decision

Ireland is braced for a big lockdown decision as Taoiseach Micheal Martin is due to address the nation today.

A number of changes are due to be outlined in what will be a phased easing of restrictions.

However, many of the severe measures will remain as health experts urged caution due to the high levels of Covid still in the country.

One of the biggest discussions has been about what to do with the 5k travel limit.

Currently, you can be fined if you are caught breaking the restriction without a reasonable excuse.

Here are the options available to the Government ahead of the big announcement later on.

Keep it at 5km

While the rising number of cases would probably suggest this as the best option, the Government is said to be keen to keep the members of the public who have adhered to it since Christmas onside.

As a result, it is highly unlikely that we won't get any change to the distance when Micheál Martin addresses the nation.

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said earlier this month that he was 'confident' of the limit being extended.

Extend it to 10km

Passengers on a Luas tram at St Stephen's Green in Dublin (Colin Keegan/Collins)

Some had suggested that an easing of the restriction to allow travel within 10km would be a boost to morale while still limiting interactions.

When pressed, one Government Minister told the Irish Mirror that an extension to 10km would be “easily” passed at Cabinet.

It remains to be seen as to whether that will be the call from the Cabinet.

Allow travel within your county

This seems to be the most likely change coming this evening.

NPHET and the Government are considering introducing county-wide travel in April along with four other reported changes ahead of their announcement today.

But there is a small catch - the move will be brought in from April 12 instead of April 5 to ensure that people don't breach rules on Easter weekend and cause another spike.

Remove the limit altogether

Gardai on an Irish Rail service (Joe Seward)

There were rumours brewing at the start of the month about this being an option.

However, that was reliant on a steady decrease in cases as well as a safe return to schools.

Only one of those have happened as the case numbers have failed to drop to the level it would need to be.

So it is highly unlikely that the limit on where you can go will be lifted altogether.