The HSE has said that it will send a text message on Wednesday to between 2,000 and 2,500 people, who have already been informed by text of their infection, asking them to tell their own close contacts to contact their GPs immediately to seek a test. Photograph: Niall Carson/PA Wire Covid-19: Backlog forces HSE to skip calls to thousands of close contacts
Covid-19: Six weeks of lockdown hardship offers little by way of end reward Covid-19: Six weeks of lockdown hardship offers little by way of end reward
‘Groundbreaking’ direct provision replacement forecast to save millions ‘Groundbreaking’ direct provision replacement forecast to save millions

Coronavirus Pandemic

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Coronavirus Pandemic

Minister for Education Norma Foley has said school communities ‘can be absolutely assured’ that any necessary resources and measures will be put in place to ensure a safe return to school after mid-term. Photograph: Maxwells Schools should not reopen after midterm unless safety improves, say unions
Shoppers on Mary Street in Dublin city centre on Tuesday. Photograph: Sasko Lazarov / RollingNews.ie The Irish Times view on Level 5 restrictions: a heavy toll on the economy
Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said people should stay at home over the next six weeks of Level 5 restrictions. File photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire Thirteen further deaths and 1,269 new cases of Covid-19 recorded in the Republic
People living alone with the support of a carer may form a support bubble with one other household. Photograph: iStock Support bubbles: Everything you need to know
Under new measures, those found engaging in non-essential travel more than 5km from home or refusing to wear a face mask in designated areas will likely face fines of up to €500. Gardaí will also have the power to issue €1,000 fines to organisers of house parties. File photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire Fines for Covid-19 breaches can influence behaviour but will people pay them?
Don’t panic-buy! Don’t panic-buy! How to spend your last hours before lockdown Photograph: Getty Images

What to do – and what not do – before six weeks of restrictions kick in on Wednesday night

‘I am finding the balance of life is getting more and more complicated’ In walks the husband who is equally overwhelmed and saturated, in need of the normality of home life. He doesn’t find it as the kids are flying high under their own unknown overwhelm, and I am beyond spent in attempting to keep everyone on an even keel

The tedious moments and emotions quicken from peaceful to explosive faster than ever before, and it’s up to me to find the centre of calm

Michael McDowell: What exactly the price of accepting this Nphet advice? Chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan: We need another emergency team that researches, quantifies and advises on other health issues involved in lockdowns. Photograph: Collins

Emergency health team does not just recommend change – it advocates for it

Substantial internal criticism of Level 5 decision from backbench FF, FG TDs A number of other TDs said that this restriction was not quite as austere as the one in March and April and people were more cognisant of what to expect. Photograph: Alan Betson/Irish Times

FF’s Jim O’Callaghan, FG’s Michael Ring leading critics in parties on latest Covid-19 restrictions

‘Absolutely imperative’ Deis school stays open amid Covid - principal Tiernan O’Neill, principal of Corpus Christi primary school in Moyross: ‘We are still talking about schools still being provided with appropriate measures that enable us to remain open.’ Photograph: Alan Place

Moyross National School has 350 children on its roll in one of the State’s poorest districts

Nothing's sacred: 'INRI' crucifix legend trademarked by T-shirt visionary At the last minute, EU trademark authorities rejected his registration for INRI use on jewellery, which would have given him the monopoly on the use of INRI on crosses. Photograph: Godong/Universal Images Group via Getty

Werner Lustig is optimistic there is money to be made from 2,000-year-old Roman insult

'It’s his dishonesty, lack of character, his deceit' - ex-CIA chief excoriates Trump Former director of the CIA John Brennan: ‘Joe Biden has all the things that Donald Trump lacks in a positive sense and more.’ Photograph: Drew Angerer/Getty
  • US
  • 01:00

John Brennan has become one of most vocal critics of the US president’s administration

Kathy Sheridan: After the audacity of hope, it's time for common sense on Covid Out in the world, the dismay at this ceaseless, shouty Babel of voices, political leaks, agenda manipulation and all shades of one-upmanship, is palpable. Photograph: Dara Mac Donaill

Skip performative politicking, certitude and cynicism. Let’s be decent and beat Covid

Employers can ease employee concerns by prioritising their wellbeing “Burnout is easier to prevent than to treat, so make sure employees can recognise the signs in themselves and others, and understand they can and should take breaks,” says laya’s head of health and wellbeing, Sinéad Proos. Photograph: Getty Images
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Laya healthcare research shows that offering wellbeing solutions is a necessary way to build resilience, fostering engagement and connectivity among employees

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Miriam Lord: Dáil reeks of alcohol but Irish politics will not be sanitised Hand-sanitising gel. Photograph: Hollie Adams/Bloomberg

TDs are used to ensuring their seats are safe but never in quite such a literal sense as this

Fintan O'Toole: State bumbling along with ad hoc decision-making as Covid crisis worsens Dr Tony Holohan and team at a Covid -19 update press conference. ‘It is not the job of Nphet or of the Expert Advisory Group to make decisions. That’s the Government’s job – the experts advise and recommend, the Government chooses.’ Photograph: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin

We are bumbling along with ad hoc arrangements created in a panic last March

What to consider if older person or loved one needs care at home The Department of Public Expenditure found that by 2031 more than a quarter of a million inhabitants in Ireland will be aged over 80 years. Photograph: Getty Images

August figures show 4,030 people assessed are on waiting list for support

Brexit: UK government suffers heavy defeat over ‘law-breaking’ Bill in House of Lords Britain’s prime minister Boris Johnson: scale of the defeeat was a serious blow to the government. Photograph: Leon Neal/AFP via Getty Images)
  • UK
  • 19:08

Peers back by huge margin amendment saying Bill would ‘undermine the rule of law’

Ready for a new world: How Irish businesses are adapting and surviving Julie Sinnamon, CEO of Enterprise Ireland, at the launch of International Markets Week, which saw more than 700 taking part in 2,000 virtual meetings to plan their Covid-19, Brexit and market diversification strategies. Photograph: Maxwells
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Enterprise Ireland’s International Markets Week went online – and was a huge success

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