The gradual lifting of the Covid-19 restrictions will begin on May 18



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Two more weeks of closure will be followed by a gradual lifting of restrictions on Irish life starting on May 18, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced Friday night.

Speaking in government buildings in a live televised speech, Varadkar warned that starting the opening of the country too soon could result in “getting back to square one,” with an increase in the number of cases, hospital admissions and deaths.

If progress in virus containment continues, he said, the government will begin easing restrictions on May 18 in five phases, three weeks apart, each of which will depend on the success of the previous one. He warned that if any stage resulted in a “second wave” of the virus, the restrictions would be re-imposed.

The final phase, which will allow a gradual return to normal work arrangements, as well as a return to sports, theaters, shopping malls and cultural gatherings, will begin on August 10. The opening of bars and clubs where a strict social distancing can be imposed will be allowed. Schools and universities will reopen in September and October for the new academic year.

Over 70

The Taoiseach did announce some minor changes starting next week: it extended the 2 km limit to travel from home to 5 km and told those over 70 that they could leave their homes as long as they stayed within 5 km and had no contact with anyone else.

However, lead attorney Michael McDowell said there was no legal basis for having different rules for those over 70, who were subject to the same regulations as everyone else.

In a briefing with medical director Tony Holohan on Friday night, Health Minister Simon Harris said he would sign regulations that extend the Gardai’s powers to enforce the restrictions until May 18.

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