Taoiseach announces delays to reopening of hospitality

“The simple truth is that we are in a race between the variant and the vaccine,” says Taoiseach.

The Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said “stark” new health advice regarding the spread of the Delta variant virus has forced the country into making adjustments to the planned reopening of indoor dining for the hospitality sector next month.

Advise is that the new emerging variant is clearly more transmissible - 55% more than the last variant, according to the ECDC.

NPHET's advice therefore to government chiefs during discussions that ran into early morning that the return to indoor hospitality should be limited to those that are fully vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19 infection.

The announcement comes less than a week before changes were due to come into effect on July 5, and have been provided little detail as to when the new reopening plan will come into effect. But the fear is that if reopening went ahead as planned it could result in an increase in the spread of the virus, as well as a spike in hospital admission, illness, and even death.

In his speech this lunchtime, Deputy Martin accepted the delay will be greeted with “dismay and frustration” in some corners, but noted that the move is the best way to protect the progress made to date to keep the virus under control.

“The simple truth is that we are in a race between the variant and the vaccine,” he said.

The Government indicated it will devise an implementation plan by 19 July.

Speaking at Government Buildings, the Taoiseachwent on to state how the change to the planned return for hospitality is yet “another twist” to the country's Covid story, but did expressed his strong belief that with the vaccination programme operating at “the worst of this is behind us”.

Mr Martin added that when a sector or activity opens “we want to make sure it stays open” as the process of opening and closing is badly impacting mental wellbeing and business sectors.

“Over the course of the coming weeks, Government will work urgently with the relevant sectors to agree a practical and workable approach,” he added.

The Irish Pharmacy Union meanwhile has called on the Health Service Executive to extend the eligibility for pharmacy vaccinations to match NIAC guidelines.

Currently, pharmacies are only permitted by the HSE to provide the Janssen vaccine to people aged 50 and over.