Clare Businesses Call For Clear Timeline On Re-Opening Of Sector

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Calls have been made in Clare for a clear timeline to be set out on when the hospitality sector can re-open.

It comes amid fears that any potential delay in the rollout of the vaccine could impact the re-opening of the sector, which the Taoiseach has said could happen as early as June.

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Businesses in Clare insists that a road map on a return to hospitality services is more important now, than ever before.

Ireland’s largest travel trade fair, Meitheal, began yesterday with over 200 buyers meeting 480 accomodation providers and attractions.

Concern has been expressed there that Ireland could lose out on huge pent up demand if a timeline for the tourism sector isn’t made clear soon.

Owner of Hotel Woodstock, Sean Lally acknowledges that re-opening is dependent on the vaccination programme, but he’s warning that if the sector isn’t doing business by July, it’ll be catastrophic for many businesses.

According to figures revealed at the Hosptiality Expo this week, Irish People accumulated the equivalent of three years savings last year.

The Managing Director of the Rowan Tree in Ennis believes there’s a real will from people to start spending again and he says steps have to be taken so that can happen, and soon.

Brian O’Neill says people who have been vaccinated should also be given more freedom.

The Acting Chief Medical Officer told the Oireachtas Health Committee yesterday that it expects to issue further advice regarding hospitality in the coming weeks.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin has told representatives of the sector that government will consider reopening hotels and b&b’s in June, but no such date has been given for restaurants or pubs.

Clare’s Fianna Fáil TD, Cathal Crowe, who’s a member of the Health Committee is hopeful a plan can be constructed with advice by NPHET and implemented by the government.