Choppy waters for businesses as new wave of Covid-19 causes staff shortages

Calls for a reduction in the isolation period for close contacts

Mike Ryan of the Cornstore restaurant. 'We’re suffering staff shortages but, on the other side of that, business isn’t flying at the moment. I think a lot of people have Covid-19 and are isolating.' 

The Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI) said there should be a reduction in the isolation period for a close contact of a person with Covid-19 as the industry battles staff shortages.

The most recent wave of Covid-19 is causing staff shortages across all sectors and RAI CEO Adrian Cummins said a reduction in the recommended isolation period from seven days to five days would somewhat ease this pressure.