Ireland lockdown: restrictions could last ‘six months’ as government publishes worrying update

Ireland’s lockdown restrictions could last anywhere from eight weeks to as long as six months as government officials give their opinion on the third wave of the deadly virus.

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said that although the latest set of new rules that were announced yesterday will be revised on January 12, they are likely to be in effect until March at the latest.

He said: “It is difficult to speculate on the timeline. But I think it will probably be towards the end of February or the beginning of March before a critical mass of the population is vaccinated.

“I think we should operate on the basis that these restrictions may be in place until that happens, although we will review the situation on January 12.

“Maybe we can get some positive decisions on January, but I think we should all operate on the basis that these restrictions will be in place for the first two months of next year.”

And before any announcement was made on Tuesday, Taoiseach Micheal Martin warned the public that there could be up to a “six-month” restriction period.

The Fianna Fail leader said Ireland was looking for half a year of new and reintroduced rules as we prepare to go back and forth from one level to another.

The Taoiseach said it was vital to vaccinate the public, but it was also essential to be cautious even when the vaccine is circulating successfully.

He told Echo Live: “We will be looking at the restrictions for the next six months.

“It’s going to be a parallel process of vaccinating the public and at the same time keeping the pressure on the virus.”

You can find a full list of the new rules that will be implemented starting tomorrow here.