LAST UPDATE | 31 May 2020

Parking spaces have been converted into newly widened cycle lanes on Dublin's North Quays. RollingNews.ie RollingNews.ie

IT IS DAY two of a three-day weekend in which the warm weather has led to concerns that the caution people have built up in recent months could be discarded. 

Today, a further two deaths from Covid-19 were announced with a further 59 cases also confirmed.

It comes as a loosening of restrictions across the water in the UK has been called a ‘dangerous moment’ by scientists.

Today’s Covid-19 main points

IRELAND

• A further two deaths associated with Covid-19 were confirmed today as were 66 more cases of the virus. 
• Much of the debate today is about whether the pace of reopening could be hastened over the next few months.
• Regardless of the speed of reopening, here’s why managing clusters might be key to Ireland moving through the phases safely.
• Family carers are among the groups who feel they are not be looked after when they or a loved one get tested for the virus. 
• Former taoiseach Bertie Ahern  has said the government will “lose the public” if the current roadmap for lifting restrictions into August is adhered to.
• More than one fifth (22%) of all adults (18-65+ year olds) are planning to cocoon for the foreseeable future according to a survey by Home and Community Care Ireland.

WORLD

• The number of coronavirus cases worldwide has now topped six million people, with the number of deaths at almost 367,000 people.
• UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has said it is a “sensitive moment” as Britain eases lockdown measures but the country has to transition to reopening. 
• US President Donald Trump has said he will delay the G7 summit scheduled to take place next month after he previously suggested holding an in-person meeting.
• In Brazil — the epicenter of South America’s outbreak with nearly 500,000 confirmed cases and 30,000 deaths– disagreement among leaders over lockdown measures has hampered efforts to slow the virus.
• India has said it will begin relaxing the world’s biggest lockdown in stages from early June, even as it marked another record daily rise in infections.
• Italy’s Leaning Tower of Pisa has reopened to visitors as have parks in Paris.
• NBA commissioner Adam Silver has told team team owners he is targeting a 31 July return to play in the US. 
• Formula One’s season will finally get underway with the Austrian Grand Prix on 5 July.

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