Publicans say they would lose 87% of standing capacity if two-metre social distancing is introduced when bars reopen.

Their representatives say many pubs will only be able to function if the one-metre World Health Organization (WHO) guideline is adopted.

EFCEM has issued an invitation to attend the 2nd of their free webinars on 27th May from 14:00 – 15:30 to address issues related to Legislation-Standardisation In Global Markets. 

Sodexo Ireland has launched ‘Rise with Sodexo’, the Sodexo Group’s new global programme to support clients in meeting the health, operational and confidence challenges resulting from the global Covid-19 pandemic when reopening workplaces.

​Local authorities have today begun the roll out of the Business Re-start Grant application process.  Access an example of the application from on the Fnigal County Council website HERE.

IFSA Members can now access the Chef Network & Musgrave MarketPlace webinar and panel discussion which took place on Tuesday, 19th May from 2pm – 3pm which explored the take-out, cook at home and retail models pioneered by Irish restaurants.

This document, supported by IFSA in relation to CATEX 2021, describes the steps that Irish Exhibition Organisers Association (IEOA) members in conjunction with Venue Operators shall take to reduce the risk of the spread of COVID-19 in an exhibition setting.

This protocol sits within the Government’s National Return to Work Safely Protocol and general COVID-19 prevention advice. As associate members of UFI – the global association for the exhibition industry, the IEOA have accessed and incorporated the best practices and recommendations that have been developed for both the European and Global exhibition industry.

​The Government will seek to have the Dáil rush through authorisation for billions of euro in additional funding for social welfare payments next week amid concerns that the Department of Social Protection will effectively run out of money in early June.

The move has been made more complex as the Opposition will seek to press Ministers to guarantee there will be no cuts to the current €350 weekly Covid-19 unemployment payment before the crucial vote on spending takes place.

The owner of High Street restaurant chains Cafe Rouge and Bella Italia has filed intent to appoint administrators at the UK High Court.

Owner Casual Dining Group, whose brands also include the Las Iguanas chain, employs about 6,000 people.  The company said the move would give it ten days' breathing space to consider "all options" for restructuring.

​Bord Bia, in association with Technomic market researchers, are compiling a White Paper on the Irish Foodservice Market, for publication and presentation via a webinar on Thursday, 28th May from 2-3PM.

While acknowledging the clear and ongoing damage that Covid-19 is having on foodservice, it is important to begin thinking about how the industry will ultimately open up. 

​Ryanair has reported a profit after tax of €1 billion for the year to March 31, but said it was unable to provide a forecast for the current year due to Covid-19 and cut its annual passenger traffic target by a further 20%. 

The airline said it expects to fly "somewhere under" 80 million passengers in the coming year.  This is down from a target of 100 million given last week and from an original target of 154 million.