''Relaxing regional restrictions is something we'll be looking at''.
The Government hasn't ruled out reopening pubs on a regional basis, after it was yesterday revealed that pubs which don't serve food will not be able to open until August 31st at the earliest.
The Health Minister says the decision was made as reopening pubs or increasing the numbers allowed at gatherings could have very serious consequences.
A financial support package for the industry is also being considered.
Minister Stephen Donnelly says localised re-openings are not advised at the moment.
''First of all the community transmission cases are happening all over the country, so it's not that they're all in Dublin or they're all in Galway - they're happening all over the country, they're happening in rural Ireland'', he said.
''Certainly in the future regional restrictions and relaxing regional restrictions is something we'll be looking at''.
His comments come after the government pushed back phase 4 of the reopening road map for a second time.
The main changes that are proposed as part of phase 4 are:
- pubs, bars, hotel bars and casinos may reopen
- gatherings of up to 100 people indoors and 500 outdoors will be permissible.
