Happy Monday
Relief for hospitality as Cabinet set to green light indoor opening
PLANS to fully reopen bars and restaurants will be signed off by the Government today.
The sector could be back in business as early as next Monday if the new laws are rushed through the Dail this week.
The Cabinet is set to agree this afternoon to rubber-stamp the plans to reopen indoor hospitality to everyone who is fully vaccinated.
This comes after a deal was thrashed out during a weekend of meetings between ministers, officials and hospitality sector chiefs.
RTE has reported the Government is aiming to have legislation allowing vaccinated people to eat and drink inside bars and restaurants, passed by the Dail and Seanad before the end of this week.
The new statute will also allow those who have recently recovered from Covid-19 to enter bars and restaurants.
Those aged under 18 can also enter bars and restaurants if they are accompanied by vaccinated parents or another person who has received all their jabs.
The Restaurants Association of Ireland chief Adrian Cummins told RTE’S This Week: “Businesses need time to prepare to reopen in a safe, viable manner.
“We’ve said we’ll follow public health advice and that’s what we’re doing.”
Under the new system proof of vaccination will be required and this can be done via an app with a QR code or in paper form. Those who have had vaccines in the North, Britain and US will be allowed entry into bars and restaurants if they show evidence.
Mr Cummins added: “What is being proposed is a scheme similar to six European countries that have a Corona-19 pass scheme.
“The scheme will link into the European Digital Certificate database and letters and emails are being sent to all those who have had Covid or who have been fully vaccinated this week.
“This isn’t the most ideal solution but it gives the opportunity to get doors open and we have to work
around this. We’re in a pandemic and we’re trying to get our industry back up and running.”
With 576 new Covid infections and 58 people hospitalised, 16 of whom are in ICU, it emerged the HSE is planning to utilise antigen testing for Covid outbreaks and for close contacts.
Its chief executive Paul Reid told RTE’S This Week: “Our approach is, first of all, the vaccination programme.
“We plan to utilise antigen testing for outbreaks where they are very well proven and potentially also for close contacts, and indeed in the UK there are elements of self-swabbing so we are looking at a whole range of initiatives.”
Mr Reid also said the HSE would welcome a “planned and pragmatic approach” to easing restrictions.
He added: “I’ve always been very clear, long-time restrictions, lockdowns of the community, of enterprise and business, is not good for the health service.”