A prominent Clare GP is warning that indoor dining is not a safe environment for both children and adults who haven’t been given a Covid-19 vaccine.
Legislation allowing indoor service has been passed in the Dáil and will now go to the Seanad, with a view to re-opening by July 26th at the latest.
It comes as registration for vaccination will open for under 30’s tomorrow.
Despite strong criticism from opposition parties, the Dáil passed legislation last night allowing for indoor dining for fully vaccinated people and those who’ve recovered from Covid in the past six months.
There were no Government rebels with the legialation carried by 74 votes to 68.
It’ll now go to the Seanad and if it passes there, bars, cafes and restaurants look set to resume indoor service no later than July 26th, with publicans and restauranteaurs required to ask customers for evidence of immunity.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has labelled it an opportunity to get people back to work safely, while Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has said the state can’t wait for herd immunity to open indoor dining.
Fully vaccinated people will be able to bring their children in with them, if the new laws are passed and Taoiseach Micheál Martin says it’s up to each individual family to decide whether they want to do that.
An Ennis GP is warning however that all poorly ventilated indoor settings pose a risk to both children or adults who are unvaccinated.
Ennis GP Dr Máire Finn has acknowledged the economic factors that must be considered by Government, but she says it’s best that people stick to outdoor dining until two weeks after they’re fully vaccinated.
Meanwhile, registration will open for a mRNA vaccine for those aged 25 to 29 from tomorrow morning.
The HSE portal will open for this age group to get a Moderna or Pfizer jab, if they haven’t received a single shot Johnson and Johnson vaccine from a pharmacy.
It’s expected that appointments will be made in the coming weeks.
