The Government has agreed to postpone the re-opening of indoor dining for a number of weeks.
It follows a stark warning from the National Public Health Emergency Team about the Delta variant.
Its prompted a call from a Clare business for Government supports to be extended for the hospitality sector, as Clare FM’s Brian McLoughlin reports.
NPHET has warned the Government that in a worst case scenario, Ireland could see 700 thousand covid cases and 2,000 deaths by September and Ministers are now likely to delay the reopening of indoor dining by two weeks at least as a result.
They’re also considering a controversial proposal to only allow those fully vaccinated to dine indoors when it does resume.
Speaking on his way into this morning’s Cabinet meeting, Environment Minister Eamon Ryan admitted this faces legal and practical problems.
A Clare Government TD has said however that a delay in the re-opening of indoor dining would have a grave economic impact on both the hospitality and tourism sectors.
Clarecastle-based Fine Gael Deputy Joe Carey says the next number of weeks are vital to the hospitality industry.
The dealy in re-opening has prompted one Clare business owner to call for supports for the hospitality sector, which are currently in place until the end of the year, to be extended until March at least.
Frank Landy from Sweet N’Green in Ennis insists it will be impossible to make up for losses during June and July.
What is expected to be given the green light this afternoon is international travel, which is set to resume by July 19th.
While it’s expected that 50 guests will be allowed to attend weddings from next month and 500 people will be allowed to attend outdoor events where the venue’s capacity is 5000.
