Bad news for those dying for a cut.
Hairdressers will not be reopening until at least the end of April or early May, according to Tánaiste Leo Varadkar.
Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast on Thursday, Varadkar said the return of non-essential retail, personal services and hospitality will not be happening on 5 April, when current restrictions expire.
On when these sectors might reopen, Varadkar added: “You’d be talking realistically the earliest… end of April or early May.”
Giving more details on how restrictions will be eased as we move past 5 April, he revealed outdoor activities will return before indoor ones and that shops and hairdressers will open prior to hospitality.
Mass gatherings, meanwhile, would resume after these areas.
In terms of what will happen on 5 April, Varadkar stated that any easing of restrictions on this date will be “quite limited”.
It has previously been said the construction sector could potentially return to work, the 5km travel limit could be relaxed and more outdoor activities, such as sports training, may be allowed.
The Tánaiste said four factors will be considered when planning to reopen the country.
These are: case numbers being reported, Covid-19 vaccine progress, the risk of virus variants, and the level of hospitalisations.
On Wednesday, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that the government will set out Covid-19 advice for a six-week period from when current restrictions expire.
Level 5 restrictions are to be reviewed a week prior to 5 April, before the six-week plan is unveiled.
