Ireland able to reopen with high level of cases once vaccinated

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly is in detailed discussions with Nphet about redrafting the thresholds for allowing the country to reopen to take vaccine rates into account

Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly. Picture Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin

The Minister for Health is redrafting the thresholds for allowing the country to reopen to take the rollout of the vaccine into account.

Stephen Donnelly has told the Dáil that as the vaccine programme takes effect "the risk profile is fundamentally changing" which will allow for greater movement of people even if cases remain high.