Nearly 500 businesses and trade associations involved in the tourism, hospitality and events industries have signed an open letter to Taoiseach Micheál Martin calling for the sector to be allowed reopen or reopen to a greater extent than currently from December.

The signatories say they recognise that although it will not be business as usual this Christmas, it does not mean they cannot open in a smart, planned and sustained way, as they are regulated and have proven responsible through the Covid-19 crisis.

Among the groups that signed the letter are Drinks Ireland, the Irish Hotels Federation, the Licensed Vintners Association, the Vintners Federation of Ireland, Ibec, the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation, the Event Industry

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Tablo of Epik High tests positive for COVID-19

Epik High frontman Tablo has tested positive for COVID-19.OURS, Epik High’s management agency, confirmed the news through a press statement released earlier today (February 9).“Tablo experienced minor symptoms on February 3 and underwent PCR testing, and his results came back negative the next day (January 4),” the agency said, as translated by Soompi. “However, he voluntarily got tested again on February 8, and his results came back positive this morning.”The statement also noted that the rest of Epik High and staff members who were recently in contact with Tablo underwent rapid antigen testing following the hip-hop artist’s diagnosis.

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New Zealand protesters vow to stay 'as long as it takes'

New Zealand anti-vaccine mandate protesters faced off with police outside parliament today, as demonstrators camped inside the Wellington legislature's grounds vowed to stay "as long as it takes".

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Alberta loosening COVID-19 restrictions as border protests resume

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney has announced the province’s public health restrictions will now be lifting, while a blockade of protesters demanding an end to mandates resumes at the U.S.-Canada border crossing near Coutts. Heather Yourex-West looks at the province’s plan, and whether it will be enough to satiate demonstrators.

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Young director using personal experience to share stories about growing up Black in Calgary

Director Kamika Bianca Guerra-Walker joins Global News’ Linda Olsen to discuss how she is using her experiences growing up Black in Calgary and how that has inspired her art.

Linda Olsen

Liberal MP tells Trudeau to ‘stop dividing Canadians’ over COVID mandates

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau continues to press hard on the importance of COVID-19 vaccines. But Quebec Liberal MP Joël Lightbound is challenging his own government’s strategy, demanding Trudeau to stop driving up divisions and deliver a roadmap to end public health mandates.

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Sri Lankan health workers on strike for 3rd consecutive day

COLOMBO (News 1st); Thousands of Sri Lankan health workers are on strike for the third consecutive day, citing several demands.The trade unions demand that the authorities eliminate existing salary disparities in the sector just as they eliminated the teacher and principal salary anomalies.Health workers across Sri Lanka including nurses, and Public Health Inspectors are on strike citing multiple demands.They resorted to the indefinite trade union action from Monday (7).As a result of the strike activities at the Colombo General Hospital, Kandy General Hospital, 24 Teaching Hospitals, 26 General Hospitals, 46 Base Hospitals, 410 District Hospitals, and 293 MOH Officers came to a complete standstill.

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Police: Two men wanted for armed robbery of Domino’s Pizza in North Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA - Investigators with the Philadelphia Police Department are searching for two men wanted in connection with an armed robbery at a Domino’s Pizza in North Philadelphia. According to police, the robbery took place on Monday around 1:00 a.m. at the location on 2628 N.

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Chinese city uses traffic lights to enforce stay-at-home covid order

China enacted a similar traffic light change after one case was detected in November, only to repeal it amid outcry on social media.

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Trucker convoy: Kids in 25% of vehicles could ‘complicate’ response, cops say

Freedom Convoy” trucks and say their presence “complicates” efforts to end the demonstration.More than 100 of the trucks remaining as part of the nearly two-week-long protest in downtown Ottawa are estimated to have kids living in them, OPS Deputy Chief Steve Bell told media in a briefing Tuesday afternoon.“Almost 25 per cent of the 418 trucks have children living in them — children who could be at risk during a police operation,” Bell said.“There’s a multitude of concerns” he said, citing effects from carbon monoxide, diesel fumes, cold, noise and a lack of access to sanitation on kids. Trucker convoy — Here’s what the 10-day injunction against horns includes Ottawa police have tapped the Children’s Aid Society (CAS) for advice on how to proceed with enforcement operations in the downtown core.They’re not seeking to take the kids out of the trucks or away from their parents at this stage, Bell said, but will follow the recommendations of CAS.“We’re not at the stage of looking to do any sort of enforcement activity around that,” he said.“We just think it’s an important factor that complicates and makes this an even more challenging operation.”To date, police and bylaw officers have issued more than 1,300 tickets for traffic violations, made 23 arrests and have 85 active criminal investigations related to the protest, which began as a response to vaccination mandates but has expanded to include a wide umbrella of anti-government sentiment.OPS are also liaising with U.S.

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COVID-19: Edmonton, Calgary school boards weigh in on Kenney dropping mask mandate for kids

COVID-19: Kenney announces Alberta vaccine passport program ending at midnight In a letter to school authorities, Education Minister Adriana LaGrange outlined the impact that relaxing COVID-19 restrictions will have on schools and students.“I have been encouraged to see a downward trend in the number of Alberta schools shifted to at-home learning over the last few weeks,” she said.“At the peak of the fifth wave, there were 29 schools that were shifted to at-home learning, and today, only seven of the over 2,500-plus schools in our province remain learning at home.”Please see my letter to school authorities below: pic.twitter.com/Z3sph78dDv— Adriana LaGrange (@AdrianaLaGrange) February 9, 2022LaGrange said the masking requirement that will be removed effective Feb. 14 will apply to any students in schools or on school buses.

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Winter Olympics: Team Canada fans outraged over $68 Lululemon red mittens

Winter Olympics since 1998 in Nagano, Japan.She has a decade’s worth of knitted red mittens, purchased every year since their debut as part of the Canadian Olympic uniform in 2010.But this year Reid says she won’t be buying anything, because after the merchandising partnership changed hands from Hudson’s Bay to Lululemon, she considers the prices too steep to justify.“They were a great, affordable way to show Canadian Olympic pride and some of the money goes to support our national team,” Reid says of her iconic mittens.“I looked at the Lululemon site and I was pretty surprised to see the prices. I was OK with The Bay’s mittens going up to $20, but $68 for a pair is too much for me.”Reid isn’t alone.

Winter Olympics Japan Italy Canada county Bay city Beijing, Canada 2020 sports BAY

₹808 cr claims to kin of healthcare workers who died of covid: Minister

₹808 crore to families of 1,616 deceased healthcare workers from 33 states and UTs, who were involved in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.

Mansukh Mandaviya India state These covid-19 Health Fighting

Sri Lanka to consider vaccinating kids below 12

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Health Ministry said that it is conducting a study on the possibility of vaccinating children below the age of 12.Deputy Director-General of Health Services, Dr. G.

Health Services G.Wijesuriya Sri Lanka vaccine Health Action

International tensions causing higher gas prices stateside, experts say

PHILADELPHIA - Gas prices continue to climb across the nation as experts claim rising tensions at the Russia-Ukraine border is pushing up the cost of crude oil. According to AAA, the national average for a gallon of gas jumped roughly 7 cents last week. Closer to home, AAA Mid-Atlantic says the average price of a gallon of regular gas in New Jersey on Friday was $3.44."Financially, yeah, it hurts," said Fatima Robinson, a Lyft driver from Fairmount.

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CHOP endorses optional masks in school districts with low COVID-19 numbers

PHILADELPHIA - As a winter surge of COVID-19 cases brought on by the highly-infectious Omicron variant continues to recede, some states have set a deadline for lifting mask mandates in schools. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stood by its recommendation for students to wear masks in school, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said this week that individual districts will have the power to set mask rules after Mar.

Phil Murphy John Carney Cheryl Bettigole state New Jersey state Delaware covid-19 mask Health

DWP updates PIP guidance for assessments involving people with mental health conditions

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced significant changes to its guidance for health professionals carrying out Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments across the UK.

Britain Department Health Provident Updates

India adds 71,765 new cases of coronavirus, 1,217 deaths in 24 hrs

coronavirus cases have surged to 41,610,976. On the other hand, the fatalities count has surged to 5,05,279, which accounts for 1.19% of the total caseload.

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Glenmark Pharma launches nasal spray for treatment of Covid patients in India

COVID-19 who have high risk of progression of the disease.

India city Sanotize covid-19 patient Fighting

With declining Covid-19 cases, restrictions to be eased in Kerala, Mumbai soon

Mumbai will be unlocked by the end of February, mayor Kishori Pednekar said on Tuesday, according to news agency ANI. "We have made up our minds," she also said, while stressing not to show laxity in adherence to Covid protocol. "It is essential for the people to wear masks and observe social distancing," Pednekar also said.

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Mahindra Lifespaces offers group health insurance for homebuyers

₹3 lakh and ₹5 lakh. The Group Care 360 policy is underwritten by Care Health Insurance. This scheme will ensure access to quality healthcare services for all homeowners in the project.

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COVID-19: Alberta doctors, mayors react to Kenney removing vaccine passport, restrictions

announced plans to lift COVID-19 restrictions in phases on Tuesday. COVID-19: Kenney announces Alberta vaccine passport program ending at midnight “It’s time for us to learn to live with COVID-19,” he said at a press conference, listing the challenges of the pandemic: disrupting livelihoods, dividing people and hurting mental health.“It’s time to let kids be kids.”Kenney said the restrictions exemption program has “outlived its useful purpose,” announcing that after Feb.

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COVID-19: Kenney announces Alberta vaccine passport program ending at midnight

Alberta’s COVID-19 vaccine passport program will cease to exist when the clock strikes midnight on Feb. 9, and almost all public health restrictions will be lifted March 1 if the situation in hospitals continues to improve, Premier Jason Kenney announced Tuesday.

Alberta Health Jason Kenney Alberta Covid Alberta Coronavirus covid-19

Joseph Baena stocks up on groceries in Venice after appearing on cover of Men's Health magazine

Joseph Baena was seen stocking up on groceries at Whole Foods in Venice, California after landing his first magazine cover on Men's Health this month.As he picked up some healthy snacks and a bottle of Fiji water, the 24-year-old bodybuilder son of Arnold Schwarzenegger sported a grey shirt, black pants and white sneakers.The hunky fitness enthusiast, who regularly shares shirtless workout videos at the gym, completed his look with anApple Watch and gold shades. Handsome: Joseph Baena was seen stocking up on groceries at Whole Foods in Venice, California after landing his first magazine cover on Men's Health this monthOn his way to his car,Baena took off hisblue surgical mask and flashed his megawatt smile at onlookers after shooting a friendly peace sign.

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Killer cop Wayne Couzens 'suffering badly' and 'seriously ill' with Covid in prison

Murderer Wayne Couzens has been placed in isolation after catching Covid in prison. The rapist cop who served as an officer for the Metropolitan Police force is currently serving a full life sentence for the murder of Sarah Everard.The 48-year-old is said to have caught the virus while serving time in HMP Frankland in Durham, with reports stating he is "seriously ill".Wayne is one of less than 20 prisoners in the Durham jail who have contracted Covid.It's been reported that a section of the prison has been closed off to stop the spread of the virus, with food and drink being left at the foot of the door of Wayne's isolated cell.A source told The Sun: "People have been talking about karma, but it looks like he will be OK.

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Suns hold off Sixers 114-109 for NBA-best 44th victory

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - FEBRUARY 08: Chris Paul #3 of the Phoenix Suns and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers look on during the third quarter at Wells Fargo Center on February 08, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User ex PHILADELPHIA - Devin Booker never tires of watching Chris Paul do his thing to lift Phoenix to big wins.Paul did his part for the Suns in back-to-back nights on the road against top teams in the East — first, Chicago and then Philadelphia — and gets to try it again next game in a rematch with the NBA champs."You’re a cold piece of work, CP3," Booker said.Booker scored 35 points and Paul had 16 points and 12 assists to lead the Suns to their NBA-high 44th win, 114-109 over the 76ers on Tuesday night.The Suns rallied from a 14-point deficit to win for the 14th time in 15 games, raising their record to 44-10.Up next this week for Phoenix, an NBA Finals rematch at home against the Bucks."Our goal is what everybody knows it is," coach Monty Williams said.

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McConnell rebukes RNC, calls Jan. 6 'violent insurrection'

WASHINGTON, DC - JUNE 21: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., walks from his office to the Senate floor at the U.S. Capitol on June 21, 2021, in Washington, D.C.

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G. L. meets India’s Spy Chief Doval to conclude visit

COLOMBO (News 1st); Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka Prof. G.L.

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14-hour Water Cut for multiple areas in Gampaha on Wednesday (9)

COLOMBO (News 1st); The National Water Supply and Drainage Board said that a 14-water cut will be experienced from 4 PM on Wednesday (9) for many areas in the Gampaha District.The areas that will be affected are:Ekala, Kotugoda, Udammita, Thudella to 20th Mile Post along Raja Mawatha, Wahatiyagama, Delatura, Katunayake, Seeduwa, Udugampola, Minuwangoda, Katunayake Air Force Camp, Katunayake Free Trade Zone, and Katana South.

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2 men shot inside Overbrook bar, police say

OVERBROOK - Philadelphia Police are investigating after two men are shot inside a bar in Overbrook.The shooting happened Tuesday night, around 8:15, on the 6600 block of Lansdowne Avenue.Police were called to the bar on the report of gunshots inside the establishment.Arriving officers found a 31-year-old man with two gunshot wounds to his leg. He was taken to Lankenau Medical Center by police and placed in stable condition.A second man, 54, was found to be suffering from a gunshot wound to his buttocks.

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Alberta ending vaccine passport program and other COVID-19 public health restrictions

Premier Jason Kenney says Alberta’s vaccine passport will end almost Tuesday at midnight and most other big COVID-19 health rules will be gone in three weeks from now. Dan Grummett, Tom Vernon and Morgan Black have team coverage on what is happening, how the health-care system is doing and how Albertans feel about the changes.

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Alberta restaurants, gyms have mixed feelings about scrapping vaccine passport

Starting Wednesday, Alberta restaurants, gyms and concert venues will no longer be required to ask for proof of vaccination. As Morgan Black explains, owners have mixed feelings about scrapping the restrictions exemption program.

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Alberta removes Restrictions Exemption Program effective at midnight: Kenney

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney announces the Restrictions Exemption Program will end at 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 8, 2022.

Jason Kenney

Kenney: Turning public health policy into ‘political football’ not helpful

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney responds to a question about municipalities and the provincial governments being on the same page when it comes to COVID-19 policy.

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Businesses can continue using COVID-19 QR codes as long as they are issued: Kenney

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says businesses who want to continue to use the Alberta COVID-19 vaccination QR code are allowed to do so as long as they are issued.

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Restrictions Exemption Program has been ‘extremely tough’ on rural Alberta businesses: Kenney

Premier Jason Kenney says the Restriction Exemption Program has been “extremely tough” on businesses in rural Alberta with low COVID-19 vaccine uptake.

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Kenney announces removal of mask mandates for Alberta students

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney announces that all mask mandates for children 12 and under will be removed.

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Alberta will continue lifting COVID-19 restrictions in phased approach: Kenney

Premier Jason Kenney announces the final two steps in relaxing COVID-19 restrictions in Alberta based on hospitalizations.

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Alberta expands COVID-19 vaccination eligibility for youth

Alberta Health Minister Jason Copping announces expanded eligibility for youth to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

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The COVID-19 trends that will decide B.C.’s path forward

Global’s Keith Baldrey looks at what COVID-19 trends B.C. officials will take into account, when deciding on which restrictions to ease.

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Philadelphia man accused of road rage shooting in Montgomery County

WHITEMARSH TWP, Pa. - A Philadelphia man is accused of shooting a driver in an apparent road rage incident last month on a highway in Montgomery County. Keith Choice, 31, was taken into custody on Tuesday after police said he shot another driver on the northbound side of State Route 309 in late January. According to investigators, a 65-year-old man was driving in the far left lane when Choice pulled up next to him and fired a single shot that hit the victim in the right upper arm. MORE LOCAL HEADLINESPolice said the bullet narrowly missed striking the victim's neck.

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Tequila could become America’s favorite liquor, data trends show

General Declaration on the Protection of the Appellation of Origin Tequila, as put forth by Mexico’s Tequila Regulatory Council. Tequila popularity has been steadily growing since 2002 and in 2021 alone, 26.9 million 9-liter cases of tequila were sold, according to the Distilled Spirits Council. Compared to vodka, which still has the top spot in Americans’ hearts, tequila sales grew by 30.1% compared to vodka sales which only grew by 4.9% in 2021 alone. "As of 2021, agave-based spirits are the third largest spirits category in the US, behind vodka and whisky. Agave spirits are set to continue on their growth path, fueled by a mix of drivers, including authenticity, product diversity and consumer engagement," according to IWSR which analyzes and tracks alcohol trends. Americans’ consumption of tequila rose 30% between 2015 and 2020, according to IWSR. Tequila also drove industry growth, accounting for nearly one-third of the total increase in spirits revenue, according to the Distilled Spirits Council.

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SpaceX: Geomagnetic storm damaged latest batch of Starlink satellites

CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES - 2022/02/03: People watch from Canaveral National Seashore as a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches from pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The rocket is carrying 49 Starlink internet s CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - SpaceX says a geomagnetic storm damaged the latest batch of Starlink internet satellites, keeping most of them from making the proper orbit.The 49 satellites were launched on Feb.

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GOP lawmaker apologizes for cursing at Democrat over mask-wearing

UNITED STATES - FEBRUARY 25: Rep. Hal Rogers, R-Ky., talks with the media after a meeting of the House Republican Conference in the Capitol, February 25, 2015. (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call) WASHINGTON - A senior Republican lawmaker apologized late Tuesday for using an expletive when Democratic Rep.

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Boom felt throughout southern N.J. and Del. possibly weather-related

PHILADELPHIA - A disturbance in the mid-level of the atmosphere passed through the Northeast Tuesday. Meanwhile, the jet stream with strong winds was passing through Delaware and southern New Jersey during the day.

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Olympic ski jumpers slam officials after 5 female skiers get disqualified over outfits

ZHANGJIAKOU, CHINA - FEBRUARY 07: Katharina Althaus of Team Germany jumps during Mixed Team Ski Jumping First Round at National Ski Jumping Centre on February 07, 2022 in Zhangjiakou, China (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images) Slovenia’s win in the Olympic debut of the mixed team ski jumping event on Monday was overshadowed by a number of disqualifications over suit violations that led several outraged athletes and coaches to slam the sport’s governing body. Five female ski jumpers, from Germany, Austria, Norway, and Japan, were all disqualified from the competition after officials said their ski suits did not comply with the International Ski Federation’s (FIS) rules. According to Yahoo Sports, the suits were deemed too loose which seemingly gives the skiers an advantage on their jumps.RELATED: Figure skater Nathan Chen sets record at Olympics after 2018 'poor' performanceGerman head of Nordic events Horst Huttel, whose team was the favorite heading into the event, said, via Reuters, that the situation was "outrageous." "This is a parody, but I am not laughing ...

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Local authorities warn social media scam that attempts to blackmail teen boys, men

A picture taken on October 1, 2019 in Lille shows the logo of mobile app Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, Facebook, Google and Messenger are displayed on a tablet.

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Update on Canadian athletes at the 2022 Beijing Olympics

Drew Lawson from the Canadian Sports Institute Calgary joins Global News Morning Calgary to provide an update on the Canadian athletes competing at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

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Big Boost Week kicks off; all DHBs reach 90% fully vaccinated for Pacific Peoples; 204 community cases; 16 in hospital

Today we start a national week of action called ‘The Big Boost’ where we’re making it as easy as possible to get your booster, with pop-up vaccination centres and extended opening hours.

testing vaccine reports

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

500 businesses, trade groups in open letter to Taoiseach

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