Commenting that level five restrictions are "having the desired effect", Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris this morning warned that there is still a long way to go before we can "declare victory" over Covid-19.
Speaking on 2FM Breakfast with Doireann Garrihy and Eoghan McDermott, Harris said that current guidelines were put in place in the interest of public safety and to allow for people to have some semblance of normality this Christmas time.
Admitting that he believes lockdown "is much tougher time" this time around, Mr Harris did his best to hearten the public reminding us that "this is not forever".
"You could be forgiven for thinking that 'God, is this going to go on forever?', but it's not. There will be a day where this will be behind us. What I'd say to young people is don't stop making your plans, don't stop dreaming about your future. There are still lots and lots of options out there... Don't give up."
Also weighing in on the possibility of a vaccine, Harris said that there is hope for the future, adding that there are "very encouraging signs" that 2021 could be "year of the vaccine".
"I think we can look to 2021 with some hope. There's not going to be a magic moment where we turn the calendar to 2021 and Covid is gone... but 2021 could be year of the vaccine."
