Taoiseach suggests majority of Level 5 restrictions will be in place until May

The Taoiseach has warned any easing of restrictions next month will be very slight. 

He's also suggested the majority of Level Five restrictions could last until the middle of May.

It's expected the 5km travel rule will ease next month while some outdoor meet-ups will be allowed and home construction will resume. 

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has warned any easing over the next few months will be cautious: "This variant the B117 spreads much more rapidly than original iterations of the virus. And that is what is informing, yes, a very conservative and cautious approach to what is allowed and what is not allowed and the restrictions that have been put in place. So, you know, if we lose or let the guard down too quickly, and this variant gets control again it'll spread very rapidly".