Ireland pitches for UK tourism by accelerating opening plans

‘Why is now the right time? Because the data is going in the right direction’

IRELAND is to accelerate its cautious reopening of the economy by three weeks, with the fourth and final phase of restriction easing to start on July 20, Leo Varadkar, the acting prime minister, said yesterday.

The move is likely to make Ireland a more attractive holiday destination for hundreds of Britons as it is specifically exempt from the UK’S 14-day quarantine legislation, due to come into force on Monday.

Facing growing pressure from business to accelerate one of Europe’s most conservative of reopening plans, Mr Varadkar also confirmed that Ireland would move to phase two next week.

Under the revised schedule, large retailers will be allowed to resume trading from Monday, shopping malls from June 15 and hotels by the end of the month, all ahead of schedule.

The final phase, which includes the reopening of pubs that do not serve food, will begin on July 20 instead of Aug 10.

“Why is now the right time? Because the data is going in the right direction,” Mr Varadkar said, referring to consistent falls in the number of cases, hospital admissions and deaths.

Ireland has reported 1,664 deaths related to 25,000 cases of Covid-19.

By skipping the queue, hotels join restaurants in reopening from June 29, as Mr Varadkar urged people to support the domestic tourism sector by “exploring our country as if for the first time”.

At present anyone entering Ireland is required to self-isolate for 14 days. Non-essential overseas travel would remain in place for the time being, Mr Varadkar said.