Restaurants concerned at plan to allow hotels resume indoor dining first Planned split of restart dates is designed to help the hotel and wider accommodation sector reopen
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Restaurant owners have said they are “deeply concerned” at the suggestion hotel and guesthouses will be allowed serve indoor meals from early June, before a wider reopening of indoor dining.
In a statement issued on Thursday morning, the Restaurants Association of Ireland called on the Government to publish medical or scientific advice showing a hotel or guesthouse restaurant is safer than an independent restaurant, coffee shop or gastro pub.
“The suggestion that Government will sign off on such proposal to divide Hotel restaurants and independent restaurants into two categories is an anti-competitive, inequitable decision and without medical, scientific or public health rationale,” the RAI said.
Alternative to Stay and Spend Scheme not being examined, says Paschal Donohoe
The scheme was set up last year to encourage people to holiday at home and is terminates at the end of this month. By Christina Finn Thursday 29 Apr 2021, 8:01 AM 3 hours ago 10,200 Views 6 Comments
FINANCE MINISTER PASHCAL Donohoe has said that an alternative to the government’s Stay and Spend Scheme is not being examined at present by his department.
Last October, the government launched the Stay to Spend scheme, which allowed taxpayers claim a maximum of €125 back in tax credits on their spending in the hospitality sector until 30 April 2021.
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Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has said planning for larger events, such as live music, will begin in the next few weeks.
He was speaking after plans were announced
The Government had said a number of higher-risk activities - such as mass gatherings - will be considered at the end of June.
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While a number of departments are to prepare proposals on the holding a limited number of pilot large events for sport and music - both indoor and outdoor. We want to find ways of opening up as quickly as possible, and obviously outdoor is much easier than indoor.
Here are some key dates to keep in mind.
May
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Intercounty travel will return from May 10th - the same day hairdressers, barbers and click and collect retail will re-open.
Religious services will also return that day, along with a further easing of restrictions around outdoor meetings.
From May 10th, three households will be allowed to meet up in a back garden - or a maximum of six people from more than three households.
Fully vaccinated people will also be allowed to meet one household of non-vaccinated people indoors.
This in effect means people will be able to travel anywhere in the country and meet parents or grandparents from May 10th.
); A degree of normality is returning : Here s when restrictions are set to be lifted heading into the summer
The Taoiseach outlined the roadmap in an address to the nation this evening. By Sean Murray Thursday 29 Apr 2021, 6:24 PM Apr 29th 2021, 6:09 PM 87,393 Views 97 Comments
Image: Julien Behal Photography
Updated Apr 29th 2021, 6:24 PM
TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN struck a hopeful tone as he gave yet another address to the nation this evening to outline the government’s plan for easing restrictions in the coming weeks.
The headline measures in the government’s new plan have been well-flagged, with significant easing of lockdown measures to begin next month.