![\"\"](\"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/2.59838633.png\")
A delay to the resumption of indoor dining at pubs and restaurants is \u201cnot inevitable\u201d, the T\u00e1naiste has said.<\/p>\nA delay to the resumption of indoor dining at pubs and restaurants is \u201cnot inevitable\u201d, the T\u00e1naiste has said.<\/p>\n
Leo Varadkar said a decision will not be made by Government until Tuesday on whether Covid-19 restrictions will be eased further on July 5th as planned.<\/p>\n
The Fine Gael leader also said the decision will be made even if it does not receive updated advice from the National Immunization Advisory Committee (Niac) regarding the use of AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson (J&J – also known as Janssen), vaccines in younger people.<\/p>\n
Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin has brought forward the decision on whether to delay the next stage of reopening due to rising concerns over the Delta variant.<\/p>\n
However, Ministers have faced intensifying calls from bar and restaurant owners to urgently provide clarity regarding the reopening as they need to tell staff whether they will be working on July 5th.<\/p>\n
Mr Varadkar said the hospitality industry had made a \u201cvery reasonable\u201d request to bring the decision forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have to engage employees, people have to come off PUP, they have to order supplies. So they\u2019ve asked us that we bring the decision forward so we\u2019re going to do that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will make a decision tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said he had not yet seen the advice or modelling data from the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) or the advice from Niac in relation to vaccinations.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll have to see all the advice, receive the presentations today and tomorrow and make a decision,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe one thing though that I can say to everyone, citizens, suppliers, employees, what we want to avoid is having to go backwards.\u201d<\/p>\n
Asked whether a delay is inevitable or not that indoor dining at pubs and restaurants will be delayed Mr Varadkar said: \u201cNot inevitable is correct.\u201d<\/p>\n
Earlier, the Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris said no matter what decision is reached, people will be able to do more in July than they can in June.<\/p>\n