Lockdown Ireland end date: What we now know about hairdressers, pubs, restaurants and more reopening

The Taoiseach and Tanaiste have been speaking in the last few days about the reopening of the country as lockdown brings the Covid levels down.

A summer "similar to last" has been predicted by Tanaiste Leo Varadkar in recent days with hopes of pubs, restaurants and outdoor gatherings.

And the Fine Gael leader told reporters on Tuesday that the new roadmap will be released on February 22 ahead of the lockdown end decision on March 5.

Here's all that has been said in recent days about reopening;

Hairdressers

Mr Varadkar said the reopening of personal services such as hairdressers will “definitely be much later” that March 5 and told the Irish Mirror that he has ordered clippers for himself.

Barbers & Coffee Shops on Monatague Street during the Covid 19 Coronavirus pandemic in Dublin's city centre (Gareth Chaney/Collins)

Pubs and restaurants

There has been no real indication as of yet as to when pubs and restaurants will reopen but it is almost a certainty that they will not get the nod on March 5.

The summer time has been earmarked as the earliest date to expect a change when it comes to dining - with outdoor dining likely to be first back.

Retail

The Government is set to reveal a revised, Living with Covid plan the week after next but High Street retail is set to remain closed for now.

There is hope that it will reopen soon after though as the virus becomes less prevalent.

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What might actually change on March 5?

The Taoiseach on Tuesday confirmed that classrooms and building sites – both regarded as "essential services" – will be top of the agenda when the Government moves to lift some restrictions.

Micheal Martin promised a Level Five decision of some variety "closer to the middle of the month" – but warned the rest of the country not to expect any grand reopening.

"We will be cautious in our response," he told reporters ahead of a Cabinet meeting.

Mr Martin said schools and construction – two areas that are supposed to stay open even in Level Five, but which closed last month amid an extraordinary spike in case numbers – "are regarded as essential services."