Taoiseach Micheal Martin has said that he does not envision any large reopening of the country on March 5.
Speaking this morning the Taoiseach signalled that the country won't see many restrictions lifted once the date rolls around with Ireland in for a prolonged lockdown.
However the Taoiseach has vowed that people across the country "will not be trapped in their homes until the end of the year."
Speaking on the Neil Prendeville Show on Cork Red FM Mr Martin said: "On March 5 Government will have to decide...The latest modelling is that we could still 600 to 800 people in hospital by the end of February.
"Then you could have 60 to 80 in ICU. The variant is a worry.
"The first priority is schools and progress has been made for children with special needs. The Leaving Cert cohort of students is very important."
Mr Martin added that a phased reopening of schools would be the priority and a decision would be made next week while adding there are plans for the reopening of some of the construction industry.
Asked if people would be allowed to travel beyond their 5km radius Mr Martin said: "That's something that we'll have to weigh up at the time and we're not making a decision on that right now.
The Taoiseach said the country is in for "prolonged suppression of the virus" and that means "we will not be reopening hugely on the 5th of March."
Mr Martin dismissed suggestions that hospitality could reopening in May saying it was "too early" for a decision to be made.
"There is evidence now thankfully emerging that the more vaccination there the less mortality, the less severe illness, the greater capacity to make decisions there is," he added.
However he insisted that people should continue to follow strict public health guidelines for the coming weeks.
"Its worth all our while to stick to the 5km and stick to the guidelines.
"We can give people hope as the vaccination rolls out things will be different and April, May and June will be significant vaccination months and I think things will change now.
"People will not be trapped in their homes until the end of the year. Things will change as we move through the Spring."
