SINCE THE PANDEMIC began almost a year ago, the government has had to make plans to deal with the future – a future that’s full of unknowns.

Last year, the Living With Covid plan was published.

This week, the ‘refreshed’ Living With Covid plan was unveiled – after quite a bit of leaking about what we could expect. In fairness, given the current situation with Covid-19 figures post-Christmas, and the current variants, it was unlikely anything huge was to change.

But the details on school reopenings, and the potential reopening of sectors of the economy, were highly sought after by people who have been living in a Level 5 lockdown for months. 

So, what was in the plan, and what sorts of issues has the government been facing in making the decisions?

To talk us through it all, senior reporter Michelle Hennessy and political correspondent Christina Finn are on this week’s episode of The Explainer. They talk to Nicky Ryan, standing in this week for Sinéad O’Carroll. 

Background reading:

• Here’s what’s in the new Living With Covid roadmap
• Bad news, delivered badly? Taoiseach defends government communications, says the message is clear
• People with underlying conditions have been moved up the vaccine priority list

https://soundcloud.com/the-explainer-podcast/why-is-the-government-changing-the-living-with-covid-plan-again/s

This episode was put together by presenter Nicky Ryan (standing in for Sinéad O’Carroll), producers Aoife Barry and Nicky Ryan. Guests were reporter Michelle Hennessy and political correspondent Christina Finn.