Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and H H Aga Khan at the official opening of the new Grandstand at the Curragh Racecourse © Photo Healy Racing
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced in an address to the nation this evening that the current lockdown is to be extended by two weeks until May 18.
From that date there is to be a phased easing of restrictions every three weeks until the middle of August.
The Taoiseach indicated that in the first phase of the easing of restrictions on May 18 outdoor workers such as builders and gardeners can resume working.
He also said that some outdoor sports in small groups could also resume from that date which is Golf and Tennis.
Sports 'behind closed doors' which are presumed to include horse racing are not going to happen until phase three beginning on June 29.
This is a blow for the sport which had hoped to resume before the end of this month with the first of the Classics, the Irish 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas, taking place at the Curragh.
The Irish Derby and Oaks were scheduled to take place on the weekend prior to the phase three timetable implementation so they too will have to be rescheduled.
All phases of the Government's Covid19 measures are subject to change should there be a spike in new cases of the virus.
Horse Racing Ireland is to seek clarification from the Government tomorrow as to whether or not horse racing falls under the 'behind closed door sports' mentioned in Phase three or will be treated differently as it is officially under the Department of Agriculture, Food & Marine.
