Some businesses may reopen by mid-summer
Cafes, restaurants and retailers could reopen by mid-summer.
It's part of a phased plan to exit the coronavirus lockdown, which is being considered by senior health officials.
This plan would involve a number of phases with the first allowing over 70s out to exercise on a no touch basis.
Outdoor workers could return to work and four people not from the same household could gather within social distancing rules.
Some retailers like garden centres could reopen, and the 2km distance would increase to 5km or 10km.
In terms of school, there would be some restricted classes for Leaving Cert students.
We’d then move on to the next phase which could see some cafes and restaurants open.
Social distancing would remain in place while the phase after that would allow people holiday within Ireland.
The later phases would see pubs and offices reopen with social distancing in place.
Details of theses phases, which are reported in the Irish Times, are likely to be revealed on Friday where it's believed there will be little easing of the current restrictions.
Speaking this morning, the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said people should not get their hopes up about any easing of restrictions.
“We really have to look at things like the number of patients that are in our ICUs with COVID, the number of new cases, the number of deaths,” he said.
“I don’t think I would be out of school by saying that those numbers just are not good enough yet.
“Maybe it will change significantly by Friday but, as things stand, I don’t think we are there yet. There are still a lot of patients – over 100 patients in our ICUS with COVID.”
