Lockdown continues into May; Leaving Certs will be held in summer

The national lockdown is set to continue for another three weeks, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has revealed in the last hour. 
It was also announced that Junior Cert exams have been cancelled and Leaving Cert exams have been postponed until late July, early August depending upon expert advice at the time. 
"We have to keep going and we need to persevere and maintain our discipline and resolve," said Mr Varadkar at a press conference announcing that the restrictions that were due to expire on Sunday would remain in place until Tuesday, May 5 under expert advice.
 "I know many of us would like to know when things will go back to normal and life will be as it was - we are working towards that time and we are planning carefully so we get there safely. The truth is nobody knows for certain when that will be or how our lives will be different when it comes, all we can do for now is take one day at a time. to think of others and to schoose hope and solidarity over self interest and fear." 
It was also announced by Minister for Education Joe McHugh that Junior Cert exams have been cancelled and Leaving Cert exams have been postponed until late July, early August depending upon expert advice at the time.
"Junior cycle final examinations due to take place in June will be replaced by school based exams and assessments held early in the new school year. Discussions will take place with teacher unions and school managements to all ow this unique arrangement take place in what is a response to a national crisis.
Minister McHugh said the Leaving Cert exams were postponed, and were set to commence in the last week of July or early August. A new timetable would be published in early June.
"It is vitally important that these students get some class-based school time before facing into exams," he said.