Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn has said people can and should be optimistic for an enjoyable summer ahead but, in the meantime, everyone has to work together to prevent a further wave of Covid-19 infections as vaccinating is accelerated across society and health services are maintained.
Dr Glynn warned, however, that there is a critical window over the next eight weeks where any significant increase in close contacts is likely to lead to a significant fourth wave of infection similar in size to that experienced in January this year.
The National Emergency Public Health Emergency Team said 15% of the population are no longer susceptible to Covid-19, either because they have already been infected or they have been vaccinated.