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It has been a busy week of news about Covid-19, with Level 5 restrictions eased on Tuesday and positive news on the development of potential vaccines for the coronavirus.

FIVE

Covid-19: Six further deaths,183 new cases

The Department of Health has confirmed six further deaths from Covid-19 and 183 more cases.

Ryanair orders 75 new Boeing MAX-8200 planes

Ryanair has agreed to buy a further 75 new Boeing 737 MAX-8200 aircraft, bringing the total number of the jets that it has ordered to 210.

WATCH: Hugging at Christmas will pose 'extreme risk'

CEO of the Health Service Executive Paul Reid has urged people to "keep a heightened level of guard" over the coming weeks, especially if they plan to meet friends.

Petition calls for partners to be allowed at maternity services

A petition with more than 52,000 signatures has called for all maternity hospitals to allow partners to attend appointments and scans, as well as for the full duration of labour.

Some student nurses, midwives to be allowed to claim PUP

Some student nurses and midwives are to be allowed to claim the Pandemic Unemployment Payment if they were unable to continue part-time jobs due to public health restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has confirmed.

Ireland Coronavirus

CityJet CEO says quarantine measures are 'nonsense'

The CityJet CEO has welcomed new advice from the European Centre for Disease Control which states that air passengers should not be automatically considered high risk for spreading Covid-19 and should be treated as members of a local population that have not had any direct contact with an infected person.

WHO does not recommend Covid-19 'immunity passports'

The World Health Organization does not recommend countries issuing "immunity passports" for those who have recovered from Covid-19, but is investigating the prospects of using e-vaccination certificates, a WHO medical expert has said.

How the world has sped up vaccine approvals

Britain yesterday became the first Western country to approve a Covid-19 vaccine for general use, giving the green light to the Pfizer/BioNTech drug.

South Africa fears virus comeback as cluster outbreaks flare

Localised coronavirus outbreaks in parts of South Africa have raised fears that the country could see a resurgence in cases compounded by gatherings during the upcoming festive season.

Vaccine process was sped up but no corners cut - WHO

Dr Margaret Harris from the World Health Organization has said the process to develop a Covid-19 vaccine was sped up but "corners have not been cut".

Johnson takes modest approach as UK pips EU to vaccine

Boris Johnson was uncharacteristically modest about the UK becoming the first western country to authorize a Covid-19 vaccine. He had been asked by the Sun newspaper if Britain's speedy authorization process was a "Brexit dividend" - a result of being free of EU rules.

Covid-19: 270 additional cases, 5 further deaths

The Department of Health has confirmed five further deaths from Covid-19 and 270 more cases.

Vaccine should be rolled out for free - Donnelly

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has said he believes that a Covid-19 vaccine should be rolled out for free. However, he said that no Government decision has been made.

Tourism groups warn sector could take more than five years to recover

Tourism Ireland has warned that it could more than five years for the sector to recover from the impact of Covid-19.

FIVE

How European countries are easing restrictions for Christmas

Governments across Europe are trying to navigate between avoiding spreading the coronavirus over the Christmas holiday season and allowing people to celebrate with family and friends.

WHO recommends masks indoors if ventilation poor

The World Health Organization has recommended wearing face masks when indoors with other people, if the ventilation has been deemed inadequate, in an update to its Covid-19 guidance on masks.

covid-19 World World Health Organization Coronavirus

EU criticises 'hasty' UK approval of Covid-19 vaccine

The European Union has criticised the UK's rapid approval of Pfizer and BioNTech's Covid-19 vaccine, saying its own procedure was more thorough.

Labour leader in call for vaccine minister

Labour leader Alan Kelly has called for a permanent minister and task force to make decisions quickly on the rollout of a Covid-19 vaccine in Ireland.

Covid-19 vaccinations could start in NI next week

Covid-19 vaccinations could start in Northern Ireland next week, days earlier than the originally anticipated 14 December rollout date.

France to make border checks to stop people skiing abroad

France will make random borders checks to stop people getting infected with Covid-19 by crossing into countries where ski resorts remain open, Prime Minister Jean Castex has said.

How does the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine work?

A new Covid-19 vaccine from pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, working with German biotech company BioNTech, has been approved for use in the UK.

Germany Britain covid-19 World Coronavirus

Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine approved for use in UK

Britain has become the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for use and said that it will be rolled out from early next week.

Britain World UK Coronavirus

People gather for public worship as restrictions ease

A representative of the Muslim Community in Ireland has welcomed the easing of restrictions for Christians.

Ireland Coronavirus

Cultural venues reopen today but theatres remain closed

Visitors were welcomed back to the National Gallery of Ireland today to view the new Piet Mondrian exhibition.

Tony Holohan Catherine Martin Ireland Culture News Headlines Coronavirus

Covid-19: 18 more deaths, 269 further cases

The Department of Health has confirmed 18 further deaths (the majority from November), 269 more cases and the number of people in ICU is unchanged at 31.

Ireland Coronavirus

How to do your Christmas shopping safely

Shops and businesses around the country have re-opened their doors ahead of Christmas as Covid-19 restrictions are eased from Level 5 to Level 3.

Ireland business Coronavirus

Covid-19 tests related to schools last week show 1.7% positivity rate

Last week 2,178 students and staff underwent testing for Covid-19 at 115 schools around the country with 38 cases detected, which is 1.7% of all tested.

Ireland education Coronavirus

France prepares for 'widespread' Covid vaccinations in early 2021

France is aiming to launch a widespread Covid-19 vaccination campaign between April and June next year, President Emmanuel Macron has said.

Emmanuel Macron Jean Castex Usa France city Paris covid-19 World Coronavirus

Covid-19 deaths in Northern Ireland pass 1,000

A grim coronavirus milestone has been reached in Northern Ireland with the number of official deaths passing 1,000.

Robin Swann Northern Ireland Ireland Coronavirus

Retail trade brisk as shoppers head out and about

Non-essential retail shops, hair and beauty providers, gyms and leisure centres are among the businesses that have reopened to the public across the country following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions.

Ireland city Dublin business Coronavirus

286,000 PUP recipients to receive arrears payments

Figures from the Department of Social Protection show that 286,000 people claiming the Pandemic Unemployment Payment will today receive extra arrears payments totalling just under €130 million.

business Coronavirus Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Pfizer/BioNTech seek EU emergency approval for vaccine

Pfizer and BioNTech's Covid-19 vaccine could be rolled out in Europe this month, the companies said after they applied for EU emergency approval.

Usa Eu vaccine Coronavirus

Over 50% surveyed say no entry should be allowed from 'Red' regions

A survey by the Central Statistics Office has found that over 53% of respondents believe that people travelling to Ireland from regions designated as Red should not be allowed enter the country.

Ireland Coronavirus

UK department store retailer Debenhams to be liquidated

British department store retailer Debenhams is to be liquidated after failing to find a buyer, administrators FRP Advisory said today.

Britain business Debenhams

Photo of US doctor comforting elderly Covid patient goes viral

Joseph Varon, a doctor treating coronavirus patients at a Texas hospital, was working his 252nd day in a row when he spotted a distraught elderly man in the Covid-19 intensive care unit.

Usa state Texas county Centre World US Coronavirus

Irish Fiscal Advisory Council critical of Government non-Covid expenditure commitments

The budgetary watchdog, the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (IFAC), has said the Government's commitment in the Budget to support incomes and the economy is "appropriate".

Ireland business Brexit Coronavirus

Gardaí to remove Covid checkpoints from motorways, dual carriageways

Gardaí are making some changes to their policing of Covid-19 regulations as the country moves from Level 5 to Level 3.

Ireland Coronavirus

Trump coronavirus advisor resigns

One of President Donald Trump's favoured coronavirus advisors who sparked controversy over his comments against mask-wearing and other issues has resigned.

Donald Trump Scott Atlas Usa World US Coronavirus

What was the cost of Level 5 on our economy and health?

As the country moves out of Level 5 restrictions today, Health Correspondent Fergal Bowers looks at the impact on health services, while Economics Correspondent Robert Shortt examines the financial fallout.

Fergal Bowers Robert Shortt Ireland Analysis and Comment Coronavirus

Non-essential shops, hair salons, gyms back in business

Non-essential retail shops, hair and beauty providers, gyms and leisure centres are among the businesses that are reopening their premises to the public across the country today following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions. Cinemas, museums and galleries will also be able to reopen, but pubs serving food and restaurants will remain closed until Friday. After six weeks shut and with Christmas approaching, pent up consumer demand for in-store shopping and many services is expected to be strong. Retail Ireland is predicting that €1.2 billion will be spent in retail outlets this December over and above a normal month.

Ireland business Coronavirus

Public health doctors to hold three days of strike action in January

Public health doctors belonging to the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) are to hold three days of strike action in January in an escalation of their campaign to be regraded in line with hospital consultants.

Ireland Coronavirus

Mural inspired by Toy Show's Adam is a gesture of hope

A mural inspired by the Late Late Toy Show star Adam King and his virtual hug sign has appeared in Dublin city centre.

Ireland city Dublin city Richmond Coronavirus

Restrictions on nursing home visits relaxed in new guidance

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has issued new guidance around visits to nursing homes from 7 December.

Ireland Coronavirus

Northern Ireland to begin tracing asymptomatic cases

A range of contact tracing measures designed to find asymptomatic Covid-19 cases will be rolled out in Northern Ireland this week, Health Minister Robin Swann said.

Robin Swann Northern Ireland Ireland Coronavirus

Early intervention stopped us peaking at 40 deaths a day - Prof Nolan

Professor Philip Nolan has said Covid-19 would be claiming "around 40 deaths a day" if Ireland had not taken "early intervention" to prevent us following the European trajectory.

Philip Nolan Ireland Coronavirus

Pubs to stop selling alcohol in Wales amid virus rise

Pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes in Wales will be forced to stop selling alcohol and to shut by 6pm in a new round of restrictions that begin on Friday night ahead of Christmas, First Minister Mark Drakeford has said.

Mark Drakeford World UK Wales Coronavirus

New #antivirus campaign for young people impacted by restrictions

The Government has started a new social media campaign to give young people affected by Covid-19 restrictions an outlet to voice their experiences.

Liz Canavan Ireland Coronavirus

United States	Cases: 46 252 513 Deaths: 750 423 Recovered: 0
India	Cases: 34 321 025 Deaths: 459 652 Recovered: 0
Brazil	Cases: 21 835 785 Deaths: 608 235 Recovered: 0
United Kingdom	Cases: 9 215 683 Deaths: 141 607 Recovered: 0
Russia	Cases: 8 494 589 Deaths: 237 619 Recovered: 0

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