Drinks Ireland call for clarity on 5 July reopening as Ireland to become only EU country with indoor dining ban

They say Ireland is set to become the only country in the EU with a full ban on indoor hospitality from 2 July.

Drinks Ireland is calling for clarity on the proposed 5 July reopening as Ireland is set to become the only EU country with a full indoor dining ban from 2 July.

This is according to a review collated by Drinks Ireland, based on the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) database, and also from industry members across the EU.

The review, covering the 27 EU member states and also the UK, found that all countries, except for Greece, are currently facilitating indoor dining in restaurants and bars, with restrictions in place.

According to the Drinks Ireland analysis, Greece is scheduled to reopen indoor hospitality on the 2 July, which will make Ireland an outlier from that point on.

“This analysis illustrates that Ireland is an outlier in Europe with regards the reopening of indoor hospitality. Since the partial reopening of the hospitality sector here in early June, publicans and hospitality operators have proven themselves committed to, and highly capable of, delivering safe environments with stringent Covid measures in place," Jonathan McDade, Senior Executive at Drinks Ireland said on Sunday.

"After one of the longest lockdowns in Europe, the June reopening has resulted in hugely positive consumer sentiment towards being able to enjoy a safe and sociable summer. Urgent clarity is now required from Government about 5 July."