Ireland in minority of countries where bars are yet to reopen

IRELAND is in a minority of countries in Europe where bars, cafés and restaurants still remain closed, according to a new analysis.

They also include the UK and the Netherlands, according to an update from Hiqa, the patient safety body, on how countries are easing restrictions on Covid-19.

There have been gradual reopenings in Austria, Belgium, Finland, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal and Spain among other countries.

It stated that triggers for the decision to ease restrictions include declining or stabilising of new cases and deaths, low rates of Covid-19-related hospital admissions and sufficient supplies of personal protective equipment and ventilators in hospital settings.

There was a gradual reopening of schools in Austria, Belgium, China, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, the Netherlands and New Zealand.

Restrictions on wedding ceremonies have also been eased in a number of countries. In Belgium, weddings have been allowed to proceed subject to a maximum of 30 people.

Other countries have also relaxed restrictions around funerals. Since May 4 attendance at funerals has been permitted in Italy, subject to a maximum of 15 people who must wear face masks.

In Ireland, the number of people allowed to attend a funeral has increased to 25 immediate family members and in Belgium it has risen to 30.

Gyms have reopened in the Czech Republic, Finland and Italy.

The majority of countries,

however, appear to have maintained closure of gyms but have proposed planned dates to reopen them, with Ireland scheduled for August.

In the area of international travel, Austria will resume direct flights to 10 destinations within or close to Europe from next week.

Residents in Denmark will also be allowed to travel to Germany, Iceland and Norway from Monday as these have been designated as low-risk countries under the controlled reopening of the country’s borders.

Meanwhile, the only European

countries which have not passed their coronavirus peak are Sweden and Poland, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).

Lockdown measures in other European countries led to an 80pc decline in the virus’s 14-day incidence since the peak on April 9.

However, the 14-day incidence “was at the highest level yet observed” in Poland and Sweden, said the ECDC.

The ECDC predicted a moderate acceleration across Europe in the coming weeks, which could place healthcare systems under stress if not checked rapidly

However, government control measures could check and reverse upward trends within two to three weeks, it said.

Andrea Ammon, director of the ECDC, stressed the importance of maintaining physical distancing, hand hygiene and “respiratory etiquette”.

Officials expressed concern the virus could spread among the tens of thousands who have crowded together in Europe’s big cities to demonstrate against racism after the death in US police custody of George Floyd.