Irish Examiner View: Scientists urge coronavirus elimination

Next Saturday two of New Zealand’s top rugby teams meet in Auckland and because that country has recorded no new cases of coronavirus for 17 days the Highlanders and Chiefs will meet in a packed stadium. New Zealand has lifted all restrictions so social distancing is no more. For now at least.

Inspired by New Zealand’s and others’ success, our Government is accelerating the relaxation of containment measures even if we are some way away from New Zealand’s clean sheet. Economic and social pressures, as well as scientific, influenced this decision. There are no easy choices in this equation, each potentially carries a significant downside. Striking the right balance is all, even if that is far more easily said than done.