Coronavirus Ireland Live Updates: Over 2,000 people have died from virus on island of Ireland

Follow the latest coronavirus news in Ireland and across the world on the Independent.ie live blog.

09.20 25/05/2020

Pandemic payment will tackle recipients who earn more on it than at work when it is extended past June 8

The Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) will be reviewed to address recipients who earn more from the payment than they would from their jobs.

The payment is to be extended past its expiration date of June 8, according to jobs minister Heather Humphreys.

Speaking on RTÉ Radio One’s Morning Ireland, she echoed the taoiseach’s claims that it is not “fair” or “sustainable” that some recipients of the payment were making more money from the €350 weekly payment than their wages.

She said that this “anomaly” is due to the speed of the payment being put in place and that the payment will be reviewed to address issues before it is extended past June 8.

WATCH: Shopping by appointment: a furniture chain's new way to trade

With many stores still unable to open their doors to the public, shopping by appointment is being adopted by the popular EZ Living furniture chain as a way to trade.

Its plan to open on May 18 along with hardware stores was scuppered by the Government. And while it and other homeware chains seek urgent clarity on the matter, it is proceeding with its personal shopper plan, saying it had 300 appointments already booked before it was told it could not open its doors.

08.16 25/05/2020

Virgin Media announces €1m initiative including free on-air advertising for businesses

Virgin Media has announced a €1m initiative for businesses which would include free on-air advertising.

The Backing Business initiative aims to boost Irish business throughfree on-air advertising and social media promotion across its full schedule covering Virgin Media Channels One, Two and Three.

To apply, business owners can send in a short email, outlining who and where they are, some of their main products or services and how they have coped and reinvented themselves through the current crisis. They're also encouraged to take a short video by mobile phone (including shots of the business premises). You can simply email submissions to backingbusiness@virginmedia.ie or WhatsApp to 089 611 1111.

The five surprising things that could help halt Covid

Experts have advised that hand washing and proper respiratory etiquette are some of the best ways to stop the spread of the coronavirus- however, brushing your teeth may be another surprising measure which may halt Covid.

Read Western Correspondent Eavan Murray's report below -

Corporation tax could overtake Vat as spending plunges

Shutting shops and strict travel restrictions could cost the State up to €6.7bn this year, expanding the already huge hole in this year's budget.

The economic devastation being caused by Covid-19 could reduce indirect tax revenues by more than a fifth, according to new research from the ESRI, losing the State €3.9bn-€6.7bn in 2020.

Under the worst-case scenario, indirect tax would fall so far that corporation tax might approach or potentially overtake Vat as the State's second biggest source of income.

Direct tax is by far the State's biggest source of revenue - €23bn of the €59bn of tax collected here in 2019 was income tax.

07.10 25/05/2020

Number of deaths on island rises over 2,000

Gabija Gataveckaite reports

The number of deaths associated with the coronavirus on the island of Ireland has risen over 2,000.

Yesterday, a further four deaths were announced, which brought the death toll 1,608. The official number of deaths in Northern Ireland now stands at 506 after one death emerged yesterday.

However, this number could be greater as the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency has recorded 664 deaths related to the virus up to May 15, 40pc greater than official figures.

'Travel bubbles' between low-risk countries planned to help tourism

The Government has been urged by both Irish airports and airlines to adopt a recovery model with 'safe travel bubbles' which would help increase passenger number, to help the aviation industry recover from the pandemic.

Ralph Riegel reports:

Risk too great to reduce social distancing, health experts warn

Politicians have begun putting pressure on senior health experts to half the social distancing rules from two metres to one metre. However, health experts have warned that it is too risky to do so - political editor Philip Ryan reports.