The Health Minister says the rate of growth of the virus has slowed significantly in Ireland recently.
Simon Harris says the number of cases has grown by an average of 9 per cent this week - compared to 33 per cent a month ago.
But he says not enough progress has been made to lift the lockdown today.
'We're nowhere near the level where we need to be, we're going to need the restrictions as tough as they are to remain in place.
"Because as tough as they are, the alternative is unbearable.
"The alternative is we don't save as many lives in this country as we want, and the alternative is we would see our country go in a direction others have gone in.
"So we cannot do that, and we will not do that."
