Bars and restaurants are hoping for the 8pm curfew to be moved back to 11pm in the coming weeks.
With Omicron believed to have reached its peak, the National Public Health Emergency Team will meet this Thursday to consider easing restrictions on the hospitality sector. The government is expected to ask for the 8pm rule to be eased next month, but indsutry reps are seeking for measures to be lifted by Monday.
The Restaurants Association of Ireland has called for a return of normal trading hours, saying the 8pm closing time was “effectively a lockdown for hospitality”.
RAI CEO Adrian Cummins said that he would like the lifting of measures to take effect once NPHET meets allowing the industry to reopen fully next week.
Mr Cummins said that a phased return of the entire economy was needed, including the night-time economy. He also called for an extension of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme [EWSS] at its full rate until the end of March. At present, the EWSS is due to be reduced next month.
