LAST UPDATE | 1 May 2020

TAOISEACH LEO VARADKAR has this evening set out how Ireland is to emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic. 

In an address to the nation, Varadkar said he intends on rolling out what he described as a “phased” reopening of the country. 

This is beginning with a relaxation of some of the current guidelines. For example, people can now travel up to 5km instead of 2km for daily exercise from next Tuesday. Those who are cocooning can now go outside and travel within 5km but they must not have any contact with others.

Construction work is set to recommence on 18 May, also.

Earlier today, it emerged that 34 more people in Ireland have died as a result of Covid-19.

There have now been 1,265 Covid-19 related deaths in Ireland and a total of 20,833 confirmed cases in the country since the start of the outbreak. 

The Taoiseach is also due to appear on RTÉ’s The Late Late Show tonight where he will further explain the current position. 

Internationally, US President Donald Trump has claimed to have seen evidence that the coronavirus outbreak originated from an infectious disease laboratory in Wuhan.

Trump speculated that China could have unleashed Covid-19 on the world due to some kind of horrible “mistake”, and even put forward the idea the release was intentional.

Here are today’s main Covid-19 points:

• Leo Varadkar has announced a slight relaxation of lockdown rules but warned that Ireland is months away from returning to what he has described as the “new normal”.
• Over 70s, those cocooning as well as the general public are now allowed to go for walks within 5km of their homes. 
• Varadkar said that schools and colleges will not be opening until September or October. 
• After May 18, outdoor work such as construction will be allowed as well as small group meetings outdoors.
• Health officials have confirmed a further 34 people diagnosed with Covid-19 have died in Ireland, and there are 221 new cases of the disease. 
• Ryanair has said that 3,000 jobs could be cut as the airline responds to the financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. 
• Aer Lingus has said it is looking to cut up to 20% of its workforce. 
• Health officials confirmed 62 cases of Covid-19 among residents at Direct Provision centres, with nine clusters. 
• GPs have said that as long as Ireland’s testing capacity hasn’t yet reached 100,000 per week restrictions should remain in place.
• AGSI said it’s disappointed that members of the public complained about gardaí not wearing face masks at checkpoints, stating that they are not mandated to do so by management. 
• Health officials said they believe Ireland’s approach to the Covid-19 outbreak has achieved what it was designed to do and stressed that it is too early to make a fair comparison with other countries. 
• There are six clusters at meat processing plants across the country, Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed confirmed in the Dáil yesterday. 
• FBD Insurance has said it is offering a €35 One4all voucher to insurance customers with a car, van or jeep policy. 
• The sale of new cars for April was down by 96.1% on last year. 
• A proposal before the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) could see healthcare workers on the frontline have childcare provided in their homes.
• Ireland’s manufacturing sector suffered further “unprecedented declines” in output, according to a new report by AIB.
• The Taoiseach has told the Dáil that he plans to ask NPHET whether individuals can be permitted to go fishing without breaking the current restrictions.
• Several Irish actors including Colm Meaney, Aidan Gillen and Adrian Dunbar have taken part in a video by Dublin City Council to support the HSE and ask people to maintain social distancing. 
• The National Transport Authority has today provided an outline as to how TaxSaver customers are to be accommodated. Many holders of TaxSaver tickets have been unable to avail of public transport services as a result of the current Covid-19 restrictions. 

Here are today’s international Covid-19 points:

• US President Donald Trump has claimed to have seen evidence that the coronavirus outbreak originated from an infectious disease laboratory in Wuhan.
• UN Secretary General António Guterres said he has been “shocked but not surprised” by the global response to the pandemic.
• Armed protesters entered the capitol building in the US state of Michigan yesterday and demanded the Democratic governor lift strict coronavirus lockdown orders.
• Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has announced he has tested positive for the coronavirus.
• According to Johns Hopkins University data, more than a million people have now recovered from coronavirus infection
• British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has promised to deliver a “comprehensive plan” next week including ways in which people might travel to work and how children can go back to school or into childcare.

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