Four more deaths and just nine new cases as Kilkenny reopens for business

A further four more people have died after contracting the coronavirus as just nine new cases – the lowest daily number recorded for almost two months – of Covid-19 were confirmed this evening.

It brings the overall death toll as a result of the virus to 1,683. There are now 25,210 confirmed cases of Covid-19 across the country, according to the latest daily briefing from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET).

The latest casulaties were confirmed as thousands more businesses across Kilkenny and the rest of the country opened their doors for the first time in nearly three months as the second phase of the Government’s plan to get the economy moving again got under way.

All retailers with their own on-street entrances are allowed to resume in-person trade, but opening times and how they operate vary.

People are being urged to shop locally, shop safely, and to support businesses in their local community.

Meanwhile, the Irish Hairdressers Federation (IHF) earlier published guidelines which it says should allow hair salons to reopen safely in the Government’s Phase 3 easing of Covid-19 restrictions rather than Phase 4.

The IHF said the 100 specific measures were developed after engagement with the Health Services Executive (HSE) and the Health & Safety Authority (HAS) and with the assistance of noted Irish health and safety experts.

About 25,000 people are employed in the hairdressing sector.

Among the main recommendations in the guidelines are the extensive use of PPE for stylists and customers as well as Covid-19 training for all staff. Customers will be screened when taking bookings while full sanitisation of workstations will be carried out after each customer. Salon visits and customer phone numbers woule also be recorded for contact tracing, while no magazines or reading material would be provided at hairdressers or barbers.