Ireland has been under one of the longest Covid-19 lockdowns in Europe with severe restrictions in place since Christmas.
Unfortunately with a high number of infections still being reported each day Ireland is facing lockdown until at the very least April 5, however there are indications this could go on longer.
Despite the doom and gloom there has been encouraging signs emerging in recent weeks that change could be around the corner in particular for nursing homes and schools.
Here's what we know:
Schools
While the most recent announcement from the Government indicated no major change to restrictions, schools are set to return in the coming weeks on a phased basis.
HSE Chief Paul Reid said that the reopening of schools from Monday offers people much hope amid the gloomy lockdown news.
And he said that measures were in place to ensure that the reopening goes as smoothly and as safely as possibly.
Mr Reid said: "Fifty inspectors are working with public health teams and plans are in place wherever cases emerge to do mass testing,"
However Mr Reid warned that parents should be particularly conscious when dropping their kids to school.
He said that the "real risk" is when people gather as school gate during drop offs.
Nursing homes
Throughout the pandemic nursing homes have been ravaged by the Covid-19 virus.
Strict visitation rules have been in place for close to a year in homes across the country meaning many have residents gone a very long time without seeing their loved ones.
HSE Chief Executive Paul Reid has said that he wants to see restrictions eased in nursing homes soon following positive news that vaccines are showing a reduction in infections.
Speaking on RTE Mr Reid said: "From this perspective there is very good news in terms of vaccination effectiveness both for residents and indeed staff.
"These are people's homes that residents are living in and they've had a tough year so I've asked the Chief Clinical Officer Dr Colm Henry to to asses this over the next few weeks, to work with NPHET and see what's possible.
"I would like to see us reducing restrictions in nursing homes."
Mr Reid that variants still pose a risk however he added that he added that we need to 'reap the benefits' of the positive vaccine data.
