Yesterday’s efforts by the hospitality industry to get Government approval for a roadmap to reopen indoor hospitality before the July 19 target date cannot have been helped by reports from the Dutch city of Enschede. That 180 people — so far — out of roughly 650 at a disco in the city tested positive for Covid-19, despite having to present a negative test or proof of vaccination, may also raise further questions around the resumption of international travel. The Restaurants Association of Ireland wants to prepare for the expected resumption of non-essential international travel on July 19 and the prospect of a return of tourists. The Vintners Federation says pubs should reopen on July 19. Even the most sympathetic response to these difficulties cannot ignore the news from Enschede which suggests that we will have to, sooner or later, learn to live with a persistent degree of Covid risk.

Source: Irish Examiner July 06, 2021 07:30 UTC