Sigh.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said heavy restrictions will likely remain in place until at least the end of April. In an interview with the Irish Mirror, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said there will only be a "modest" easing of restrictions over the next few weeks and we're looking at "severe restrictions" right into April. “It is going to be challenging for people, it’s been a long lockdown already and I would say to people it’s worth it,” Martin said. He added: “We’ve already certainly indicated that beyond Easter we’ll look at it again but until the end of April you can look at significant restrictions and we’ll review it after that then because we’ll have to see where we are.” The news comes as cases in Ireland still hover in the high hundreds even after a number of weeks in Level 5 restrictions, although health officials said on Thursday the trends are going in the right direction. The Cabinet sub-committee on Covid-19 met on Thursday night and it's thought they too recommended minimal changes to restrictions, and that the easing of the restrictions will be a long process. Early primary school pupils along with Leaving Certificate students are set to return to school in March, however the sub-committee is likely to meet again on Monday to discuss this further. It's expected that many students other students will not be back in schools until at least Easter. A final decision on schools is expected to be made at a full cabinet meeting on Tuesday. It's a tough for many so look out for one another and here's some handy numbers that may be of use to you or others.

• Samaritans: 116 123
• Aware: 1800 804 848
• Pieta House: 1800 247 247
• Jigsaw: 1800 544729
• Alone: 0818 222 024
• Childline: 1800 666 666