"We are looking at a continuation of high levels of restrictions to the Easter period."
Micheál Martin has said that Level 5 restrictions will remain in place in Ireland until Easter.
Speaking on
Morning Ireland on Thursday morning, An Taoiseach said that every effort must be made to ensure that Covid-19 case numbers decrease, and that strict restrictions will remain in place until 4 April as a result.
An official announcement on Ireland's Covid-19 plan going forward will be made on the week beginning 20 February.
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Martin said that the goal is to ensure that hospitals are not overrun again, saying: "With the vaccination rollout, it makes sense that we will be cautious and conservative, because every month we get with the vaccine, we reduce mortality and we reduce severe illness."
Later in the interview, Martin said that if he is invited to the United States for Saint Patrick's Day, then he will go, and that he will need to be vaccinated if so.
No invite has been offered by Joe Biden as of yet.
The Taoiseach also said that clarity will soon be offered with regards to this year's Leaving Cert, and that the Easter mid-term break may be reconsidered as students are expected to return just before the planned break.
He said discussions are ongoing between unions and the Minister for Education.
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