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US arrivals remain minimal

The number of people flying into Ireland through Dublin from America dipped as low as eight on a single day since the beginning of the pandemic. dublinairport0620

In total, figures released by the Minister for Justice Helen McEntee show that just 15,607 people have flown from the US into Dublin Airport since April 24. In the same timeframe last year, that number was over 800,000.

The figures, released to Sinn Féin TD Mairead Farrell in a parliamentary question, show that despite concern over the number of American tourists in Ireland in the summer, just over 100 people a day have flown in from America since April.

The average daily total of passengers arriving from the USA was 116 per day over the 134-day period from 24 April to 4 September. These figures include Irish citizens and residents returning to the State.

DIGI calls for pub support

“Ireland’s pubs have endured the longest lockdown in the EU. While we acknowledge the government's support for so-called 'wet’ pubs outside Dublin and are relieved that they will be permitted to reopen next Monday after six months of closure, we still have grave concerns for those left behind today, Drinks Industry Group Ireland has said..

“Dublin publicans now face weeks and possibly months of additional uncertainty, with no indication of when they will be allowed to begin serving customers again. This uncertainty jeopardises hundreds of businesses and thousands of jobs, not just in the pub trade, but in the broader drinks and hospitality industry.

“Dublin pubs must be prioritised and reopened at the next review date in three weeks’ time. Any further delay will prove detrimental to the future of the industry.  

“Recovery thereafter, will be a long process, and the government needs to start thinking long term with a support strategy of practical measures. Action must be taken this year, in time for the Budget. 2021 will be too late.

Lay-offs at Shelbourne Hotel

Dublin's Shelbourne Hotel is temporarily laying off 127 of its approximately 435 employees due to lower than normal occupancy levels. shelbourne 1117

The employees who are not temporarily laid off will have their working hours reduced as part of the hotel's cost reduction plan.

The Shelbourne's operater, Marriott International, told RTÉ News, "Despite the significant challenges facing the travel sector this year and the dramatic decline of international travel, we have had a relatively positive summer season, focussed almost exclusively on domestic business.

"Unfortunately, it has also become clear during this period that we need to right-size our operations to reflect lower levels of occupancy compared to those attained before the pandemic.

Agents criticise lack of action

The Irish Travel Agents Association has expressed its disappointment in relation to the Government’s six month Resilience and Recovery plan for living with COVID-19, stating that nothing has changed regarding the current situation for the Irish travel sector.

The ITAA believe that there has been a lack of clarity on both inbound and outbound tourism, and that direction is needed before the Irish travel industry can resume operations. There is a symbiotic relationship between inbound and outbound travel, therefore opening up air travel would impact massively on the Irish tourism industry.

The ITAA have consistently voiced their concerns regarding the impact that the COVID-19 crisis is having on travel agents throughout the country, and are calling for assistance from Government in the form of measures such as wage subsidies and grants to help repair some of the damage to Irish travel businesses in the wake of the pandemic.

Wedding attendance to double

One hundred people will be allowed to attend weddings under new Covid-19 rules due to be introduced by the Government. hotelwedding0620

The move will be a boost for people due to get married in the coming weeks as current restrictions only permit 50 people to attend.

The Cabinet subcommittee on Covid agreed to double the number of people who can attend weddings in time for today's announcement on the latest restriction levels.

Dublin’s drink only-pubs may not be allowed to reopen next week as planned due to rising coronavirus cases in the capital.

The move to delay the September 21st reopening for pubs that don’t serve food in Dublin is due to be signed off by the Cabinet this Tuesday morning as the Government delivers its new Living with Covid-19 five-level plan.

However, there will be restrictions on house visits in the capital and the reopening of wet pubs in Dublin will also be delayed.