Settle yourselves in, because it looks as though we won't be moving around freely for anytime soon. It has been confirmed that the lockdown in this country has been extended by a further two weeks, with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar confirming the news in an announcement this evening.
The previous lockdown period was set to end on May 5th, but it had been anticipated that this would be extended further until May 18th, and this has proven to be the case.
However, some restrictions have been eased. Those over the age of 70 will be permitted to leave their homes for the first time in weeks, while the 2km radius travel limit will also be extended to 5km.
Speaking at the announcement, the Taoiseach had this message.
"If we relax the restrictions too soon, we could see our ICUs overcrowded... everything we achieved would be lost... our best chance of winning this battle would be swept away.... So we must go on a short time more."
— Richard Chambers (@newschambers) May 1, 2020
The Taoiseach also briefly outlined what future phases of the lockdown being lifted will consist of.
“On the 18th of May Ireland begins to reopen…” - outdoor work can resume, outdoor stores (garden centres), some limited outdoor sports can start again.
🚨 Varadkar confirms - as long expected - that the academic year has ended, and schools/colleges won’t return until September— Gavan Reilly (@gavreilly) May 1, 2020
Cabinet to meet again tomorrow to discuss helping businesses.
— Richard Chambers (@newschambers) May 1, 2020
It is feared that lifting too many restrictions to soon would lead to another surge in cases, with the overall numbers of infected people believed to still be too high to have considered an easing of the rules. 34 further deaths from coronavirus were announced this afternoon.
While there is an acceptance that these restrictions are necessary, some are nonetheless beginning to question the Government's handling of the pandemic.
This was exasperated when the Taoiseach elected not to take questions from the media during this evening's announcement.
1 Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will not be taking questions today.
2 There will be no Tony Holohan press conference.
3 NPHET haven't published their meeting minutes.
4 FOI requests are delayed.
5 Opposition TDs can't ask written questions as they normally can.
Transparency?— Luke Silke (@luke_silke) May 1, 2020
