Midlands 103

Search

Listen Live

On Air Now

5:00pm - 9:00pm

The Saturday Beat

Supergrass

Alright

Over A Quarter Of Hospitality Operators To Keep Indoor Dining Shut Due To Staff Shortages

Monday, 26 July 2021 12:35

One Offaly publican says it's a challenge they "just have to get on with".

Restaurants and pubs offering indoor dining will only have to record the contact tracing details of one person from a table, in a late change to guidelines.

Initially, every member of a booking were due to provide details, but that was changed just after midnight overnight.

Indoor dining resumes from today - with some businesses reopening for the first time in nearly 500 days.

The Blackthorn Pub in Daingean will re-open for indoor dining on Friday, with finishing touches currently being made to refurbishment works.

Owner Aggie D'Arcy says they've also decided to separate the outdoor seating area into smoking and non-smoking spaces:

However, it's estimated up to a quarter of hospitality businesses will remain shut today, due to staffing shortages.

Fáilte Ireland says it is a great day for the hospitality sector but it's important steps are taken to ensure the safety of customers and employees.

Director of Sector Development , Jenny De Saulles, says late guideline changes overnight were necessary:

Donal O'Keeffe, Chief Executive of the LVA, says those who don't follow the guidelines should face consequences:

More from Midlands News

Calls Grow For 24 Hour Garda Station In Edenderry After Arson Attack

An online petition has been set up.
Appeal Date Set For Jozef Puska Over Murder Of Ashling Murphy

His appeal is scheduled to begin on 23rd April.
Offaly Town Demands Meeting With Garda Commissioner And Justice Minister

A petition to make Edenderry Garda Station open 24 hours a day is nearing its goal.
Ireland’s First Kidney Pancreas Transplant Recipient Dies Aged 68

Westmeath's Mairead Ward received the procedure in 1991.
Quality Of Life To Drive Offaly’s Appeal For Foreign Investment - Anna Marie Delaney

IDA Ireland plans to develop a new business park in Tullamore.
Hundreds Of Mourners Gather For Tadgh Farrell's Funeral

The funeral was held in St Mary's Church this afternoon.
Dancing With The Stars ‘A Once In A Lifetime Opportunity’ - Rose Of Tralee

The hit series makes its comeback on our screens in January.
Uisce Éireann To Submit €6b Water Project Plan

The project is designed to safeguard the drinking water supply for nearly half of Ireland’s population.
Pedestrian Killed In Midlands Crash

Gardaí and emergency services are currently at the scene of the incident.
Gardai Arrest Four Men Over Laois Prison Assault

It's alleged to have taken place in Midlands Prison last Saturday.
Maura Higgins Set For Traitors US

The Midlands celeb wants to be a traitor.
Man Taken To Hospital Following Alleged Westmeath Assault

The incident occurred in Kinnegad.
Osteoarthritis Programme Launched At Midlands Hospital

It was developed in Denmark and is now implemented in over 10 countries.
Laois County Fire And Rescue Service Welcomes Two New Fire Appliances

The two appliances will soon be operational in Portlaoise and Mountmellick.
Offaly TD Welcomes New IDA Ireland Investment

Fianna Fail's Tony McCormack says it's needed to keep commuters closer to home.
Gardaí At Midlands Collision Involving Pedestrian

The incident occured outside Edenderry.
Gardai Conduct House Searches In Connection With Offaly Arson Attack

Three premises are being investigated across Offaly and Kildare this morning.
Funeral For Offaly Arson Attack Victim To Be Held Today

His father, has been denied compassionate bail to attend his funeral.
Emergency Services At Scene Of Offaly Crash

The incident took place on JKL street.
Tadgh Farrell’s Father Denied Compassionate Bail To Attend Son’s Funeral

Aaron Holt has a significant history of committing crimes while on bail.

Download Our App

Never miss a moment from Midlands 103