Government may push back indoor dining by two weeks

The emergence of the Delta coronavirus variant has forced a rethink ahead of the planned reopening of bars and restaurants on July 5

Outdoor dining on Capel Street in Dublin city centre: A date for indoor dining has yet to be confirmed by the governmentRollingNews.ie

The government is considering a two-week delay to the reopening of indoor dining in pubs and restaurants to stave off the threat of the Delta variant, the Business Post has learned.

The planned reopening on July 5 could be pushed back until July 19, when international travel is due to resume on a widespread basis.

Pub and restaurant owners have reacted with exasperation at the prospect of a further delay on allowing indoor gatherings, which ...