The Social Democrats are calling for much more focused local restrictions to be put in place instead of a blanket lockdown.
It comes as a number of counties have significantly reduced the number of new cases of COVID compared with the national average.
NPHET will give advice this week on whether or not any restrictions can be eased in April.
Education Spokesman Gary Gannon says "more area based" closures in schools, for example, should be adopted.
"Short Closure's Better Than Lockdown"
He says they should be pinpointed on particular places within a region.
"For me it has to be looked at, particular areas."
"If there's a high transmission rate in an area, if we have to close those schools, let's close them."
Deputy Gannon's strategy is to "attack the virus and get them [schools] back open" after a short closure.
However he's insisted that the country should not find itself in a situation where there's a blanket school closure again.
