Statement regarding date for Indoor Dining

The Restaurants Association of Ireland is aware of recent comments by An Taoiseach and cabinet Ministers to media that it is too early to confirm if the date for indoor dining on 5th July is on track citing a concern regarding the increase of the Delta variant. Any delay in reopening indoor hospitality on 5th July will have a catastrophic economic effect on Restaurants, Cafes & Gastropubs specifically those in tourist area’s.

Indoor Hospitality is currently open in Irish Hotels across the country and the entire Hospitality industry is open for indoor dining in Northern Ireland. We are simply calling for a confirmed date and indoor dining equality in the Governments ongoing plan for living with COVID.

Businesses are currently in the planning stage with just over a week to the proposed July 5th date for indoor dining. Staff have been rostered, businesses are being cleaned and sanitised, suppliers have been contacted for stock. It has been confirmed that an announcement will be made on Thursday 1st July confirming whether or not the 5th July will be the date for indoor dining. This is just 4 days before the scheduled reopening date, a last minute, late postponement will have significant and devastating financial impact on businesses in terms of loss of stock and also on employees in terms of uncertainty regarding reemployment.

We are seeking an urgent meeting with Government to clarify the situation and have contacted An Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar and Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly for an urgent meeting to clarify the situation and get certainty regarding indoor dining for Restaurants, Cafes & Gastropubs.