The Irish Hospitality and Tourism sectors are expecting a 'Happy Friday' to-day when the Government is scheduled to announce the end of many Covid 19 restrictions. Among the expected announcements are:

Last month, Allmed European Freight, officially founded the pan-European transport network Paneco together with the logistics networks Kommodus (Poland), Cargo24 (Switzerland) ABC Business Network (Italy) and ELVIS (Germany).

​In cooperation with another 15 local partners, this network of networks already serves all major economic zones in Europe, right from the outset, in the groupage and part loads sectors. The company operates as a public limited company and is Headquartered in Zug, Switzerland. The start date is planned for July 2021. 

A maximum of six people aged 13 years and over will be allowed per table when restaurants, pubs and cafes open next month.  However, Covid-19 safety guidelines issued this morning by Fáilte Ireland also say that when accompanying children under the age of 12 are included, up to 15 people will be allowed at the one table.  Food and beverage facilities indoors will initially only be available for residents of hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs which can reopen from 2 June.

The monthly Foodservice Sector Sentiment Index for April 2021 has been published.  The survey conducted with 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.

​Hotel and guesthouse owners are welcoming the increase in bookings that has followed the Government’s recent announcement that hotels will reopen on 2nd June.

​The latest industry survey from the Irish Hotels Federation  shows booking levels nationally now average 31% for July and 27% for August – the key summer months. This compares to levels of 23% and 21% respectively just ahead of the announcement. 

​The Government will set out plans next week for a further easing of restrictions on travel, aviation, hospitality, sport and live events.

A Cabinet meeting is expected to take place next Friday to make the final decisions for reopening during June and to sketch out plans for July.

​People will not be required to buy a substantial meal in order to have a drink in a pub when outdoor service resumes next month, the Tánaiste has said.

Leo Varadkar told the Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment this morning that the guidelines on outdoor dining and drinking, which will be permitted from 7 June, are currently being drafted.

He said it would be seated only, with six people to a table and tables would probably be 1 metre to 1.5 metres apart.

​The Government is to encourage local authorities to allow pubs with no indoor space to expand onto pavements, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has said.  ​
​He said he was “very much” encouraging city councils and county councils to use the outdoor space. This is a good opportunity to reimagine our streets and have it used for the public for outdoor dining and outdoor drinking and not so much for cars, he said.

A member of the Restaurants Association of Ireland has issued a notice to Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly and the Chief State Solicitor’s Office of an intention to issue a legal challenge regarding: “Unfair restriction of trade in a commercial premises and The Health (Preservation and Protection and Other Measures in the Public Interest) Act 2020 and Ministerial Regulation”.