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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:

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