It looks like it will be the end of April or early May before non-essential shops or hairdressers have a chance of reopening.
The Tanaiste says the easing of restrictions next month will be quite limited.
The relaxing of the 5km rule, some outdoor activities and construction are set to be the only areas to change.
Leo Varadkar says restrictions will ease on a slow and phased basis: "Reopening of shops, personal services, hospitality… that wouldn’t be happening on April 5th. That would be a later date: You’d be talking realistically the earliest... end of April or early May."
Nursing Homes
NPHET is examining easing restrictions on visits to nursing homes at its meeting this morning.
The issue has been raised by a number of government TDs following the roll-out of vaccines to nursing home residents.
It comes as the Johnson and Johnson vaccine looks set to be approved by the European Medicines Agency today.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly says there's strong evidence the roll-out is working.
