Irish Examiner view: Patience is key as we battle the Delta blues

It is not clear if further restrictions, to allow activities such as indoor dining, will be lifted in early July.

The relief and the sense of optimism generated by the impression that the pandemic has been or, at least, was contained was entirely natural and welcome.

After a long, difficult period of restrictions on nearly every aspect of life — the enjoyable ones at least — the small steps taken towards a new normal over recent weeks were uplifting.