'Race between vaccine and variant', says Taoiseach as return to indoor dining delayed

Ministers have agreed to act on a “bleak” and “sobering” warning from Nphet to delay the reopening. File picture: Pexels

Indoor dining is set to be delayed until at least July 19.

In an address to the nation, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that Government will devise an implementation plan by 19 July for the return of indoor dining. 

It was due to reopen on July 5, however, Nphet warned of the spread of the Delta variant which has caused concern.

Nphet advised that the incidence of the Delta variant in Ireland is rapidly increasing. 

"For this reason, a cautious approach is maintained, with an emphasis on lower-risk activities," said a Government statement.

The Department of Health has recorded a further 351 Covid cases.

There are 46 people hospitalised with the virus which is up by seven on this day last week. There are 16 people in intensive care units which is up 3 over the same period.

The Government has said that pending the implementation of a system to verify vaccination or immunity, indoor services such as indoor dining will not proceed.

WATCH: Taoiseach announces the latest on the reopening restrictions. Live here, RTÉ One TV and the RTÉ News channel | Read more: https://t.co/CDrrMLxXmY https://t.co/29V4mNuHhT

— RTÉ News (@rtenews) June 29, 2021

Mr Martin said that the Government will devise an implementation plan by July 19, following further consideration and consultation with relevant sectors.

The Taoiseach said in his address that the Government will work to agree a practical and workable approach.

He added that the country is in a race between the variant and vaccines.

“We want to do everything we possibly can to make sure that the vaccine wins,” he added, confirming that four million doses have been administered so far. The Government confirmed in a statement that 40% of the population now fully vaccinated.

Mr Martin said that the changes that have been agreed reflect a "sensible, safe and balanced way forward".

Mr Martin added: “We do not want to lose the progress we have made and I am satisfied that the adjustments to our plan agreed by Government this morning represent a sensible safe and balanced way forward.

Mr Martin said that the changes that have been agreed reflect a "sensible, safe and balanced way forward". Picture: Collins

“Our tourism and hospitality sectors have carried a disproportionate burden throughout this pandemic and I know that this delay we are announcing this afternoon will be greeted with dismay and frustration by some.

“In recognition of the circumstances, we will provide additional support over the coming weeks."

The Tánaiste said that the Government was erring on the side of caution in announcing the delay.

The Taoiseach did announce increases to capacity at outdoor events and weddings from July 5.

From next week:

• Numbers permitted at outdoor events can increase as planned, to a maximum of 200 attendees for the majority of stadia, and to 500 for stadia/venues with capacity greater than 5,000, with appropriate protective measures.
• There should be no limit on the numbers of people that can visit together once they are all fully protected by vaccination or have had Covid-19 infection in the previous nine months.
• As an exception, weddings already planned will be permitted to proceed on the basis of the expected changes for July, with 50 guests permitted to attend wedding receptions with protective measures.
• In line with current advice, unvaccinated households may have visitors from one other unvaccinated household.
• People should continue to work from home unless necessary to attend in person.

The Government also announced that the planned closure of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment to new entrants will be deferred to midnight on July 7, 2021, rather than on midnight on June 30.

In a letter last night, Nphet recommended that the Government should "pause" the reopening of indoor dining and drinking until they can put a "robust" system in place to prove that people have either been vaccinated or have immunity.

Nphet predicted that we could see up to 2,170 Covid-related deaths across July, August and September as the Delta variant spreads across the country.

The Health Minister has said that the Government intends to hold consultations with the hospitality sector to see how best to implement a system which would allow people who have been vaccinated or who had recovered from Covid-19 to dine indoors.

Mr Donnelly told RTÉ radio’s News at One that he knew that news of the delay of reopening the sector would come as “a big blow” to the sector.

Work will begin, in conjunction with the sector, to introduce a certification system under a model used successfully in many EU countries including Germany, Austria and elsewhere. If other countries could do it then there was no reason why Ireland could not do it, he said.

There were questions about what kind of technology would be used, the timeline, how it could be implemented.

“We want to listen very carefully to the industry.” When asked about the necessity to vaccinate young staff, Mr Donnelly said that the Nphet view was that this would not be necessary as such staff were already working indoors in hotels using health and safety protocols.

However, the Minister said that the public health advice from Nphet was that a negative PCR test was not recommended (as with the digital travel cert).

However, the idea of only fully vaccinated people being allowed to dine indoors has been rejected by vintners. 

The Licensed Vintners Association (LVA) has described the idea as "ridiculous" while and the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI) deemed it “unworkable”. 

Donall O’Keeffe, Chief Executive of the LVA, said the system would create a “two-tier society”.

The VFI added that the way the Government has dealt with pubs over the past 15 months "is shocking".