Reopening of indoor hospitality delayed 'to avoid another Covid tragedy'

Government outlined the stark advice it received from Nphet on the more contagious Delta variant that prompted the delay in reopening indoor hospitality

Bars and restaurants no longer able to reopen on July 5 will instead receive two double weeks of the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS). Hospitality staff who were planning on returning to work can re-enrol for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment. File picture: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie

The Government has postponed the reopening of indoor hospitality until after July 19 in a bid to avoid "another Covid tragedy".

In a lengthy press conference, the Taoiseach and Tánaiste outlined the stark advice they received from Nphet on the more contagious Delta variant that prompted the Government to delay the reopening and plan for a Covid-19 vaccination certificate.