World Health Organisation releases six criteria Ireland must meet before coronavirus lockdown is lifted

The World Health Organisation has released the full list of criteria which must be met if Ireland is to end its coronavirus lockdown.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar last Friday extended the restrictions which will now be in place until May 5 at least.

The Fine Gael leader spoke last weekend about how it's unlikely that all restrictions will be lifted by then.

He said he's "optimistic" that the lockdown will begin to unwind next month, but noted that it will be done in steps.

A Garda checkpoint at the entrance of the Phoenix Park in Dublin as Ireland is now officially in a two-week lockdown with all non-essential trips banned. (Philip Fitzpatrick)

But in order to lift a lockdown in any country, six criteria must be met.

The WHO criteria in full are:

1. Transmission is controlled

2. Health system capacities are in place to detect, test, isolate and treat every case and trace every contact

3. Outbreak risks are minimised in special settings like health facilities and nursing homes

4. Preventive measures are in place in workplaces, schools and other places where it’s essential for people to go

5. Importation risks can be managed

6. Communities are fully educated, engaged and empowered to adjust to the ‘new norm’

WHO chief Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus warned: “While Covid-19 accelerates very fast, it decelerates much more slowly. In other words, the way down is much slower than the way up.

“That means control measures must be lifted slowly, and with control. It cannot happen all at once."

He added: “Each government must assess their situation, while protecting all their citizens, and especially the most vulnerable.

“Control measures can only be lifted if the right public health measures are in place.”