The National Public Health Emergency Team is due to meet on Thursday to discuss the latest data on Covid-19 and make recommendations to the government on what restrictions may be eased.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin has said the Cabinet will then meet on Friday to consider NPHET’s advice and decide what measures may be lifted.
Speaking on his way to Cabinet on Wednesday, the Taoiseach told RTE News: “In terms of restrictions and so on, NPHET will meet tomorrow, government will meet on Friday, and then we’ll give clarity to the public at large and to the various interests who are obviously very concerned about the situation and want that clarity, and we’ll take it step by step.”
He added: “The fact that we’ve managed so far to weather that storm (Omicron wave) gives us grounds for optimism in that medium term right up to March and throughout the year.
“We have to be mindful of course of other variants that may come and also the fact that even now the disease levels relative to previous waves are still fairly high, but with that said, we can be optimistic about the medium term.”
Restrictions such as the 8pm curfew on the hospitality sector, limited capacity at outdoor sporting events and working from home could all be altered from next week.
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said he believes any new measures will be brought into effect towards the end of next week.
He said: “Towards the end of next week, I expect that we will start to see the restrictions start to be lifted.”
Minster Ryan also indicated that sporting, cultural and artistic events would be among the priorities as the government considers the new measures.
He said: “The position we’re in at the moment is a lot better than it looked a couple of weeks ago.
He added: “It is going to give us the chance to start lifting restrictions quickly, in my mind very widely”.
Things are also looking positive for the months ahead as Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said he would like to see all restrictions removed by March but said it is too early to know if this will be possible.
He said the current data is encouraging, and he would hope to see restrictions lifted to the fullest extent as quickly as possible.
