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Coronavirus
How quick is too quick as Ireland debates lifting restrictions and countries unlock: Today's Covid-19 main points
Here’s the main news on the coronavirus today.
LAST UPDATE | 31 May 2020
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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