Most of us know someone who is ignoring the lockdown rules.

Last night, Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan addressed the issue directly as he appealed to anyone planning to host a house party of any size to reconsider, as the country tentatively prepares for Phase Two of the plan to reopen Ireland’s economy.

Speaking at a Department of Health briefing, Dr Holohan said: “I think we all know from our personal lives, house parties are being organised with abandon, it seems to me, as though we weren’t in the midst of a pandemic.”

“That’s a continuing cause for concern,” he said.

Even by Phase Two rules, large gatherings are still discouraged. Up to four people may visit another household for a short period of time but everyone must keep at least two metres apart from people they don’t live with.

“I just have two messages. One is to people who are organising these events, that’s one thing. There’s a responsibility. But then there are also people who voluntarily attend them. And you can choose not to,” said Dr Holohan.

“There will come a point in time where we think certain activities that are indoor in nature can happen in controlled ways,” Holohan said. “But we’re really not at the point now where we think that house parties and gathering indoors is appropriate.”

On Thursday night it was confirmed that a further five people with Covid-19 have died in Ireland, with 38 new cases of the disease confirmed.

Cabinet will meet this morning to discuss recommendations put forward by The National Public Health Emergency Team on the scheduled easing of restrictions from Monday.