A number of test case lawsuits are expected to be filed shortly by restaurants whose insurers have refused to pay out for business interruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Despite a landmark ruling in a case involving FBD that pub owners were entitled to be compensated for the disruption to their businesses, hundreds of restaurants, cafes and hotels have been unable to successfully claim from their insurers.

The hospitality sector has expressed disappointment that 'Living with Covid' announcement from the Taoiseach does not include a clear path to reopening for the sector.

There are currently around 150,000 people from the hospitality sector receiving the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) which will now be extended until June 30th.  Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI) has said that the extension of existing supports do not go far enough.  It said it is unacceptable that there was no information provided on what metrics will be used to determine reopening dates for hospitality.

​The government has today decided to facilitate the safe return of in-school education and childcare services on a cautious and phased basis during March and April.

This will be alongside the scaling up of the vaccination programme in line with supply, ensuring that all vaccine doses are administered to target groups as soon as possible.

The current public health restrictions will remain in place until 5 April 2021, when a further review will be conducted.

EFCEM are co-hosting a webinar with Compliance and Risks about Manufacturing Products Today for Tomorrow’s World on 9th March at 10am GMT.

At the forefront of EU policy is the objective to make products placed on the EU market more sustainable, recognizing that products can no longer be manufactured in isolation from the impact they have on the environment, climate change and consumers. 

​Elaina Fitzgerald Kane, President of the Irish Hotels Federation, has commented regarding the likely reopening timelines for Ireland’s hospitality sector.

She said: “Public health must always be the number one priority and we recognise the difficult balance the Government has to achieve. However, our tourism community is devastated to learn yesterday in a radio report that the hospitality sector is unlikely to reopen before mid-summer. 

​A four-stage plan could see all of England's coronavirus restrictions finally lifted by 21 June, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced.

In the first phase, all pupils in England's schools are expected to return to class from 8 March.   ​Socialising in parks and public spaces with one other person will also be permitted from that date.

​Plans to change laws on opening hours for pubs and nightclubs have been welcomed by the trade association representing Dublin pubs.

The CEO of the Licensed Vintners Association (LVA) Donall O’Keeffe said the move to extend late trading hours for pubs and nightclubs will be of “great benefit” to Dublin publicans when they are allowed to reopen.

Taoiseach’s mid-summer reopening comments spark ‘frustration and anxiety’ in hospitality sector.

A senior figure on the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) has said progress in suppressing the Covid-19 virus is slowing but is still being made.  Professor Philip Nolan, chairman of Nphet’s epidemiological modelling advisory group suggested, on the basis of the current trajectory, that it could be some stage in April before new coronavirus case numbers fell below 100 per day.

All members are invited to complete the monthly Foodservice Sector Sentiment Index for February 2021.  The survey, conducted with both suppliers and end users across the foodservice sector, aims to provide a snapshot of attitudes towards current marketplace conditions and the economic climate.

Covering such areas as employment, team management, state support, and industry perceptions, the index gives a unique perspective on how the hospitality supplier sector sees itself and how it views the outlook for the industry over the short to medium term.  ​All members are encouraged to participate.  The survey should take no more than 15 minutes of your time.    ​This month's survey will be open from  18th - 26th February.

Restaurant delivery group Camile Thai is to create 220 jobs locally and at least 80 more in Britain as part of a major expansion.

​The company is also intending to raise €10 million as part of a plan to progress with a technology-centric strategy that includes automating kitchen operations and drone deliveries.

Camile Thai is to open 15 new outlets across Ireland and Britain with new Irish locations including The Point Village in Dublin, the refurbished Frascati centre in Blackrock and elsewhere in counties Waterford, Mayo, and Cork.