Thread by @GBCNewsroom

.@FabianPicardo about to start #COVID19 briefing on @GBCTVGibraltar & on @RadioGibraltar Plus. We’ll post some summary points here too.

Chief Minister says "delighted" we're starting Phase 5 today with zero active cases in #Gibraltar. Tomorrow will mark 14 days with zero active cases on the Rock. 22 days with no new infections locally.

CM: 1 ERS cross frontier worker did test positive, there had been no contacts with patients. Details sent to Spanish authorities. Person self-isolating at home in Spain.

12,743 tests. 177 confirmed cases. Just one pending swab.

#Gibraltar is able to progress to Phase 5 of the Government's Unlock the Rock plan.

.@gibtelecom text messages with Covid stats no longer needed, CM thanks staff who've made this possible.

Restrictions on social gatherings will change: you will now be able to meet socially with 20 people (up from 12).

Sitting together at restaurants: up from 6 to 10 people.

Curfew on bars & restaurants extended to 0200.

BEAT applications received before 30.06.20 will be processed & paid before 10.07.20. Applications in the usual manner on the Government website.

Expect to see more flights to #Gibraltar soon. References Telegraph & Daily Mail coverage this weekend. During this week & throughout this phase, tourist sites will start being opened.

CM says he's speaking to UK Government about air bridges.

.@FabianPicardo says any issues regarding the BEAT Covid app on Android should have been fixed now. Invites anyone living in Gibraltar who hasn't downloaded the app to do so gibraltar.gov.gi/beatcovidapp

Golden Hour & Silver Hour will continue.

Says @GibraltarFA now training again. @gsla_gi working with them. All other team sports can now practice attack & defence drills. Restriction of 12 to a group continues for next 2 weeks (at least).

Rhythmic gymnastics using easy-to-clean mats. Athletics time trials can start from today. Padel tennis is being played normally, players keep a log of who they're playing with (for 10 days).

@gsla_gi to keep all sports associations up to date.

No sports Covid issues detected

GASA pool will go to sessions of 12, freeing up time for public. Uptake on accessible pool not as high as expected: normal schedule after 1pm could resume soon.

Stay & Play will use it this summer. Will start 13.07.20.

70+s are using Europa Pool more.

Questions from journalists now. GBC asks about different presentation of Covid stats, separating resident from non-resident. CM says the way stats have been sent by Gibtelecom has been limited by characters. New way is not limited & clearer.

CM says unlocking being done carefully, "important not to relax too much". "It's totally counterintuitive to me... but we have to take public health advice" despite being very frustrating, especially young people. "This balance is not going to be popular, but it has to be right".

Positive coverage in recent days re #Gibraltar as a tourism destination for UK residents, but no official update from the UK Government re air corridors.

Random testing will be rolled out in public settings, offering people on Main Street & elsewhere the chance to be tested.

Position re face masks can't be taken from politicians, must be on the basis of public health advice, says CM.

Re the reports of higher than normal @aqua_gib bills, CM says he's very concerned. Company took estimates in order to protect staff. Estimates were different to normal, but people were at home more during lockdown.

.@GibraltarGov speaking to Aqua Gib. Doesn't want disconnections on basis of estimates. But people will need to pay for the water they have actually used soon.

CM asked about abortion referendum, says will take public health advice this week. Wants it to happen as quickly as possible but doesn't want to "fire a blank". Date could be set for late September, as long as #COVID19 wave not expected.

CM asked about random testing in private companies. Says some "opportunities" to "find needle in haystack" will arise as a consequence of contact tracing.

Says teams may offer public some random testing on, for example, the beaches.

CM asked about measures at airports. Says v difficult to do anything other than take temperatures with reliable equipment (not clear whether ordered), which could detect asymptomatic cases. #Gibraltar visitors invited to download Beat Covid app for use while on the Rock.

CM asked about economic impact of #COVID19 & potential for redundancies. Says BEAT 2.0 designed to channel money to businesses & thus protect employment. Though businesses depending on tourism may find it hard. Not possible to assess how many jobs may be lost.

CM asked about antibodies. Says testing whole community would be expensive & could be of limited value.

CM asked about National Day plans. Says he hopes to move to 'Rock Unlocked' on 01.08.20. But despite that does NOT think it would be prudent to ask thousands to gather at Casemates on 10.09.20.

Will have to look for alternatives, including broadcasting of statements.

"This is a very different year": we did not have @Calentita & will not have a normal National Day & there will not be a @GibCalling music festival.

"Absence makes the heart grow fonder" says CM.

.@FabianPicardo asks everyone to stay safe, wash hands regularly, keep to social distancing rules (1.5-2m apart) & wear masks when indoors & these distances cannot be respected.

"Let us continue to work together to continue to succeed against #COVID19".

*ends*