Lockdown end date: final comments from Dr Ronan Glynn, Stephen Donnelly and Micheal Martin as cabinet meets

Cabinet is due to meet today to discuss legislation surrounding mandatory quarantine measures as pressure increases on the government to crack down on foreign travel to the country.

Minister Stephen Donnelly is expected to introduce legislation with the aim of curbing international travel within the state and reducing transmission of the virus – especially new variants.

Mandatory hotel quarantine for up to 14 days is believed to apply to anyone arriving from countries deemed to be at high risk.

It comes as a decision will soon be made regarding Ireland’s foreclosure rules with level five restrictions in place until March 5.

Ireland has seen encouraging signs of a decline in infection in recent days, with no deaths reported for the first time yesterday since December.

However, everything indicates that there will be no major changes to the restrictions from March 5, with the lockdown likely to last until Easter.

Dr Ronan Glynn

Speaking at a press briefing on Covid-19 on Monday, Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn said it was too early to make plans for people to see each other at Easter.

He said the goal was always to ensure that children could return to school.

He also expressed concern after 100 cases were discovered at a Galway university and a number of other people are awaiting test results.

Dr Glynn said: “We just can’t have that at the population level right now to continue to suppress the disease.”

Stephen donnelly

Speaking over the weekend, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said it was still “too early” to give a specific answer as to when the lockdown measures could be lifted.

“With the uncertainty surrounding the vaccines and the variants, it’s difficult to give a precise answer.

“Progress is being made and we have the biggest drop in Europe. However, close contacts are recovering, positivity rates remain high, the percentage of new cases in Dublin is rising again.

“It is far too early given all of this to give a precise answer.

“Close contacts are going up, not a lot, but they are going up again. Rates of positivity remain high, especially among close contacts. The percentage of new cases coming from Dublin is increasing.

“We believe there are more opportunities in terms of workplaces to help people add extra protection as well. Considering all of this, it is far too early to give any precise predictions. “

Micheal Martin

Taoiseach Micheal Martin has warned that Ireland should see a “critical mass” of the population before there is a major reopening.

Mr Martin has warned that pubs and restaurants could all remain closed for several more months over fears of the virus resurgence following the alarming post-Christmas spike.

The Taoiseach also confirmed that similar restrictions at Level 5 will remain in place beyond March 5, as the government aims to take a slow and conservative approach to reopening the country.

While refusing to be raffled off on an exact reopening date, Martin confirmed that support for the pub and restaurant industry will continue for some time.

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Speaking to the media, Mr Martin said: “I don’t have a date at the moment (to reopen) to be honest with you.

“In terms of hospitality, when we get out of Covid-19 – and we get out of it – there won’t be a magical day when you can say it’s the end of Covid-19 and the start of a new one. time.

When do you think the lockdown should be lifted? What would you reopen first? Take our survey here or comment below.