Plans are being drawn up to almost fully re-open the economy by the middle of July.
The Taoiseach has told the Dáil the early indications from phase two of the easing of lockdown measures are positive. While saying it's too early to know the impact of Phase Two Plus, Leo Varadkar has said the signs are good for the coming months.
Speaking today, he said:
"The government is now conducting extensive work on the revised Phase 3 and Phase 4 of the roadmap so we can have the country almost fully opened by the middle of July".
He's said the plan is still one of trying to suppress the virus, rather than mitigating it. However, he also noted that Ireland can't cut itself off from the world, and will need to open up eventually and risk importing cases.
Meanwhile, Dr David Nabarro who's an envoy for the World Health Organisation has left open the idea that the government could reduce social distancing guidelines from two to one metre, as many businesses have called for. But he's said that comes with a greater risk of infection, and both the government and people observing it have to weigh up that risk.
