Varadkar acknowledged that rates of transmission of Covid-19 are much lower when people meet outside.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has encouraged people to be less “prudish” about “having a few drinks” outdoors with friends.
Speaking to Dermot and Dave on Today FM on Wednesday, the Tánaiste said that people will frequently discourage others from congregating outdoors. However, he believes socialising outside is far better than meeting up indoors.
Varadkar added that the Government is hopeful to see a phased return of the hospitality industry in June and July, with outdoor dining at the top of their agenda.
“With hospitality, it is really evident, it is increasingly evident, we are learning with that with this virus, outdoor transmission is much, much, much less common than indoors. One of the reasons the numbers are coming down at the moment is people are outdoors more and when people are indoors they have the windows open, it makes a huge difference,” he said.
“When people are outdoors and windows are open, they are much less likely to get this virus. One of the things we are going to be a little bit less prudish about is seeing people outdoors congregating, maybe even dining, and having a few drinks outdoors.
“Sometimes people see that and think ‘oh, that is terrible, better put a stop to that’ but actually, it’s much better than having groups of 10 indoors somewhere. Definitely outdoors is safer than indoors for sure.”
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