LAST UPDATE | 4 Jun 2020

HEALTH AUTHORITIES HAVE indicated we’re on course to enter Phase Two of re-opening the country and its economy as planned next week; a meeting of the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) that took place today aimed to finalise these proposals.

Due to take effect from Monday 8 June, NPHET’s advice following its meeting will be conveyed to government for a final decision tomorrow. 

Last night, chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan stressed it was important to wait until the end of the week before a decision could be made on easing restrictions further but there is nothing so far to indicate that won’t happen.

Meanwhile, the Taoiseach told the Dáil this afternoon that the government’s plan to re-open the country can be accelerated – but only if it is deemed safe to do so.

Here are today’s Covid-19 main points:

• The Pandemic Unemployment Payment is set to be extended for months – but those who worked part-time before the crisis will see the amount they receive reduced.
• Health Minister Simon Harris has said that he expects Ireland to move to Phase Two on Monday, and that the 5km limit will be extended to 20km. 
• The Taoiseach has told the Dáil that the government’s plan to open the country can be accelerated, but only if it’s safe to do so.
• Leo Varadkar also told the Dáil the government has made proposals to the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) to bring forward the easing of some restrictions.
• Five deaths and 38 new cases were confirmed in Ireland by the Department of Health today.
• House parties are being organised “with abandon”, Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan warned tonight.
• The organiser of a Black Lives Matter protest in Dublin this weekend is not deterred by calls to stop the event due to Covid-19.
• Education Minister Joe McHugh said that plans are being put together for a summer educational programme for children with special needs, and children from disadvantaged areas.
• There has been a “a slight potential increase” in the Covid-19 reproductive rate.
• The three-month immunity advice for healthcare staff is not to be extended to the general population. 
• Ibec warned today of the “sharpest compression of economic activity in living memory” due to Covid-19 as the country slowly begins to get back to work. 
• Simon Harris is back at work this week after a Covid-19 test came back negative.
• Ministers are set to meet in Stormont on plans to ease restrictions today.
• McDonald’s opened the rest of its drive thrus nationwide. 

Here are today’s international Covid-19 main points:

• A study on hydroxychloroquine that found it had no benefit against Covid was pulled from The Lancet after authors couldn’t verify the data used.
• The UK has been warned to brace for “many job losses” as the number of deaths passed 50,000.
• Wearing face coverings will be mandatory on public transport in England from 15 June, UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps announced. 
• Both Brazil and Mexico have announced a record number of daily deaths from Covid-19. 
• The European Central Bank is today expected to boost its emergency bond-buying with hundreds of billions of euro to provide governments breathing space. 
• The death toll in the US is now at 107,099, after a further 919 people died yesterday. 
• The UK needs a new £100 million Royal Yacht Britannia to provide a “morale boost” during coronavirus pandemic, former Trade minister Digby Jones told Chopper’s Politics podcast.