Ireland remains in Level 5 of the ‘Framework for Restrictive Measures in Response to COVID-19’. Any measures introduced at any level of the Plan are aimed at limiting the spread and damage of COVID-19, and are necessary to protect our key priorities of supporting and maintaining health and social care services, keeping education and childcare services open and protecting the most vulnerable members of our communities. Full details of Level 5 measures in place can be found on Gov.ie (https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/2dc71-level-5/).
The Government announced a slight easing of restrictions within Level 5 from 12 April in recognition of the significant impact that the extended period of Level 5 restrictions is having on people. The focus of this easing of measures is on enabling more outdoor activities in order to improve the health and wellbeing of society. The situation will be subject to ongoing review taking account of the evolving epidemiological situation, the impact of the reopening of priority services, and available evidence in relation to vaccine deployment, uptake and effectiveness. The NPHET and the Government will consider the position again at the start of May.
The ‘Framework for Restrictive Measures in Response to COVID-19’ remains in use and is included in the Government’s current strategy COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021 - The Path Ahead. The 5 Level Framework outlines the broad measures which will apply depending on the level of the virus at any given time. The Plan is designed to help everyone – individuals, organisations and sectors – to better understand, anticipate and prepare for the measures that might be introduced to contain transmission of the virus.
Significant progress has been made on suppressing the virus due to the huge effort of our citizens. By working together, we have saved lives and limited the impact of the disease on society in Ireland. We all must continue to do everything possible to avoid the virus spreading.