Green Party Climate Minister Eamon Ryan has indicated that indoor dining may not fully open until August, beyond the already-delayed 19th of July date previously given.
Speaking this morning, Ryan said that while he expected digital travel certificates to be implemented on July 19th as previously outlined, other elements of re-opening would likely not be permitted until August.
“We’re going to get everyone vaccinated, back dining, able to socialise – it will just take a bit of time,” he said.
“It’s not going to be a huge change, it’s going to be step by step,” he added, and said that Ireland would not be following the swift re-opening seen in the UK.
Moreover, Táinaiste Leo Varadkar stated that, given the NPHET advice on the subject, it would be unlikely that antigen testing would be used as part of the digital certificate for indoor hospitality.
However, just yesterday, Fine Gael deputy leader Minister Simon Coveney said that antigen testing was being considered despite NPHET’s advice, in an apparent contradiction of the Táinaiste’s statement.
The government is reportedly planning to potentially use rapid antigen testing to allow indoor dining and drinking by the end of July, in defiance of NPHET.#gripthttps://t.co/YrHatp1Cwa
— gript (@griptmedia) July 5, 2021
Varadkar also expressed worry over the UK’s societal re-opening, saying that it would have an “impact” for Ireland.
“The prospect of packed theatres in the West End and nightclubs being packed to the rafters concerns me to be quite honest,” he said.
“It will have an impact for Ireland.”
Indoor dining open in every other European country. UK proceeding with plans to lift ALL restrictions by 19 July and yet we are sticking to our ultra cautious approach, possibly refusing to allow people to dine indoors until August. Those with no skin in the game dictating policy https://t.co/zW05NGJoFZ
— Robert Burke (@robertburke84) July 6, 2021
Our CEO @adriancummins speaking on @NTBreakfast earlier regarding the meeting between Hospitality & Government regarding reopening this month.
Viable & workable solution needed to reopen the remainder of hospitality for indoor dining as soon as possible.https://t.co/63Yv4r6GEZ
— Restaurants Association of Ireland (@RAI_ie) July 5, 2021
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