The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, has said future lockdowns are not inevitable but a national effort is required to slow the spread of the virus.
Speaking on RTÉ's The Week In Politics, Mr Coveney said the view in Government is very similar to that of the Chief Medical Officer - to focus on what they know works and what they are asking people to do. "To limit their social contacts, to make sure that rooms are ventilated, to wear masks when people are in crowds indoors and outdoors, to work from home when you can. "These are messages that people have heard many times and they understand, because they work. "So it is possible to avoid the introduction of more restrictions, but we will have to watch the numbers very closely