Covid-19: False dawns and frayed nerves as the impasse rolls on

The postponement of indoor dining raised hackles across the hospitality industry, but the government is hopeful that a working group can thrash out the issues before much more damage is done

There was an instant backlash from publicans and restaurant owners to the government’s decision to delay the reopening of indoor dining. Picture: RollingNews.ie

By the time ministers met online with representatives from across the hospitality sector last Wednesday to chart a path towards reopening, the anger in industry ranks over the postponed reopening of indoor dining on July 5 was palpable.

“It was an appalling situation we found ourselves in, we’d been treated appallingly, and we made it known,” one attendee told the Business Post.

A cadre of senior ministers were left in no doubt from the off ...