Call for Ireland to “crush the curve”
An immunology expert says Ireland can suppress the coronavirus like New Zealand without further economic shutdowns.
It comes as more than 1,000 Irish scientists and doctors have warned that the country must completely eliminate COVID-19 before a return to normal life, with total suppression.
The widespread wearing of masks, faster testing and contact tracing, the testing of visitors at airport and a review the lockdown are all included to 'crush the curve'.
Dr Tomas Ryan is assistant professor at the school of biochemistry and immunology at Trinity College Dublin.
Businesses say two-metre rule must be reduced
Business groups are warning that the two-metre rule must be reduced to one-metre if the country is to recover from the COVID-19 outbreak.
The Irish Small and Medium Enterprise Association (ISME) and the Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC) both appeared before the Dáil COVID-19 committee this afternoon.
ISME Chief Executive Neil McDonnell also warned that the roadmap for reopening the economy is “ponderously slow” and that any future shutdowns would be “disastrous” for business and the economy.
He warned that without the proper supports, up to 9,000 small and medium businesses could close for good in the coming months.
Hospitality COVID-19 guidelines published
Mini-bars and breakfast buffets will be a thing of the past when hotels begin to reopen around Ireland at the end of the month.
Fáilte Ireland this morning published its guidelines for hotels, restaurants and tourism attractions preparing to reopen around the country.
Mini-bars will be locked up and room service will be delivered no further than the doorway, while saunas and steam rooms will be banned.
Hotels will be allowed to open their swimming pools – but access will be limited and they must be pressure washed and disinfected every night.
Government talks enter rocky waters
A leading climate activist has said the Green Party’s leadership challenge was a “disastrous move” in the middle of government formation talks.
Negotiating teams from Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party are meeting again this evening amid renewed concern over whether a deal can be found.
The talks are focusing on one of the major stumbling blocks - the plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 7% a year - and there has been increasing pessimism today about the prospects of reaching deal.
A deal will need to be reached by Thursday if a government is to be in place by the end of the month.
US presidential candidate Joe Biden has told mourners at George Floyd’s funeral that “now is the time for racial justice.”
Mr Floyd’s funeral was held at a church in Houston, Texas this afternoon, just over two weeks after his death at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer sparked protests across the US.
Hundreds of mourners filled the Fountain of Praise church as the service got underway this afternoon.
The 46-year-old will be laid to rest beside his mother later this evening.
