The Irish Charity Shops Association representing more than 400 charity shops around the country says its members are facing losses of up to €23 million this year, and has asked for Government support. The group expects continued restrictions around opening hours and social distancing will bring further losses of around another €8m.

According to new data from the Central Bank, total new lending to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) here fell to its lowest level since 2016 during the first three months of this year. 

The Health Service Executive is inviting more than 5,000 people to take part in a study to measure exposure to Covid-19, by completing a questionnaire and provide a blood sample. The HSE said the research will help provide information about how long antibodies last and what protection they provide against new infections, with the initial results expected in late August.

The Times reports how some of the biggest businesses in the country are coping with remote working. 

Draft guidelines issued by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) have indicated that restaurants and pubs that serve food may be able to reduce the two-metre physical distancing restriction to one metre in certain circumstances when they reopen later this month. But it is understood that those circumstances include limiting the length of stay in the pub or restaurant to a maximum of 90 minutes, while customers would also have to pre-book before making a visit.

Furniture giant IKEA has said that it would return subsidies it received from nine countries, including Ireland, at the height of the coronavirus crisis, as its financial situation was not as strained as feared.

Overseas, Beijing's education commission has ordered the closure of the capital's schools again following a new outbreak of the coronavirus in the city of 21 million people.

Finally, for some zen, Big Time Rush had a virtual reunion yesterday, surprising their fans with an acoustic rendition of their song 'Worldwide.’ Enjoy & stay safe everyone!