Cabinet signs off on phase one of reopening

The Cabinet has signed off on plans to begin the first phase of the Government’s roadmap for easing coronavirus restrictions next week.

The first phase allows up to four people to meet outdoors, provided they follow social distancing guidelines.

Hardware and DIY stores are also due to open their doors along with construction sites.

Some public sports areas like tennis courts and golf courses have also been given the green light – but only for people who live within the 5km radius.

Investigation underway into COVID-19 reporting issue at Mater Hospital

An investigation is underway at the Mater Hospital in Dublin after health authorities were only made aware of 244 cases of COVID-19 yesterday.

The National Public Health Emergency team announced a total of 426 confirmed cases last night, noting that the 244 were the result of a delay in notifications at one hospital.

The Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said they were “spread over a very lengthy period of time” that goes back as far as mid-March.

This afternoon, the HSE confirmed that the hospital in question was the Mater and said the situation was under review.

Government issues face covering guidelines

Everyone over the age of 13 is being advised to wear face coverings in situations where it is difficult to practice proper social distancing.

The new guidelines were announced as the Government confirmed that the first phase of the roadmap for reopening the country could begin next week.

The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said there would be no legal requirement to wear a face covering in any situation and warned that good hygiene and coughing etiquette are more important than ever.

The Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan warned that the coverings are by no means a “magic bullet” for the virus – and said they should only be used alongside standard public health measures.

Labour rules out government formation talks

The Labour Party has ruled out entering talks with Fine Gael And Fianna Fáil on forming a Government in the coming weeks.

Party leader Alan Kelly wrote to Leo Varadkar and Micheál Martin today, noting that there is “a gap, at present, between Labour’s vision for Ireland’s future and your own.”

He took particular aim at the decision to rule out increasing taxes to fund the recovery from the COVID-19 crisis.

“While it is your stated goal to achieve a ‘well resourced, properly functioning and responsive State,’ our view is that it is premature and unrealistic to rule out using taxation to achieve this,” he wrote.

Bogus COVID-19 tablet seized in Dublin

Thousands of bogus tablets that claim to treat COVID-19 have been intercepted on their way into Dublin Airport.

The consignment, seized by Revenue officers on April 29th, contained around 7,200 Traditional Chinese Medicine capsules and around 10,000 non-compliant ‘surgical face masks.’

Today, Gardaí carried out a follow-up search operation at a house in Swords and uncovered a further 6,178 capsules.

Investigators said they may be worth around €10,000 on the black market.