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Level 5 restrictions may remain in effect until May based on new plans for living with the virus that the government is discussing.
The Cabinet Committee on Covid-19 agreed to begin a gradual reopening of schools on March 1 after the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) informed students that they can begin to return to classes.
However, all other decisions on restrictions were postponed until a meeting next Monday.
A cautious approach to reopening the country is expected in the coming months as the National Vaccination Program continues.
A small amount of construction may be allowed next month, but most restrictions will remain in effect until late April or early May. The restrictions will be reviewed in early April.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin and his cabinet ministers were briefed by Nphet and the Health Services Executive (HSE). Nphet’s warnings were described as “crude” after the meeting.
The committee discussed a gradual reopening of elementary and secondary schools.
Under a proposed plan, juniors and seniors, along with first and second class and Leaving Cert, would return to school in the first week of March.
Other national school classes would return in the second half of the month under the plan to be discussed by the Cabinet Committee on Covid-19 on Monday.
The proposed plan, which is dependent on the spread of the virus and support from the teachers union, would also see fifth-year students return to class in mid-March.
Each step of the schools reopening will be reviewed to assess the impact on the spread of the virus in the community.
In Northern Ireland, meanwhile, the public was warned not to make plans for Easter as the Northern Ireland blockade will remain in place for another six weeks.
Last night, the Executive announced details of a series of relaxations at the end of March 8, but most of the measures will remain in effect until at least April 1.
It came when it emerged that the R number in Northern Ireland is now between 0.7 and 0.8.
Prime Minister Arlene Foster has revealed that younger children will be able to return to school in just over two weeks.
However, Ms. Foster cautioned that the return of Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and Elementary 1-3 students starting on March 8 will cause the R number to start rising again.
However, the reprieve for parents and children will only be temporary, as they will return to remote learning on March 22 to allow 12-14 year olds to return to school until Easter break.
Also starting March 8, limited click-and-collect services will resume for products now considered essential, such as footwear and baby clothes, while the number of people allowed to gather outdoors will increase. to 10.
The Executive met yesterday afternoon to discuss the current blockade, which has in Northern Ireland since December 26.
Online editors
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