Dr Tony Holohan 'hopeful' Ireland can move ahead to phase two of lockdown exit plan

Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan: "We have somehow slipped a little bit, but overall the population, despite the enormous economic and social impact this has had on individuals and families, has maintained a very, very high level of compliance." Photo: Photocall Ireland/PA Wire

The Chief Medical Officer has said that he is “hopeful” that Ireland will be able to move to phase two of the easing of Covid-19 restrictions in three weeks time.

On the first day of phase one, which saw some businesses reopen and construction sites come to life once more across the country, many questions at the latest briefing of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) concerned whether or not the roadmap to fully opening the country would in reality be possible to follow.