No decision yet on July 5 reopening as 'Delta plus' variant identified in India

The more transmissible variant now accounts for one in every five cases of Covid-19 in the Republic and up to 90% of cases in the UK.

It comes as a new Covid-19 variant has been identified as a 'variant of concern' in India.

More than 20 cases of the 'Delta plus' strain, believed to be more transmissible than the original Delta variant, have been identified across three states, India's federal health secretary Rajesh Bhushan told a news conference on Tuesday.

The Delta plus variant is believed to have increased transmissibility, stronger binding to receptors of lung cells and cause a potential reduction in monoclonal antibody response.

Mr Donnelly said it has been a “heartbreaking year” for the hospitality sector but stressed the industry would not want the Government “to push too far" only for them to have to close down again.

NPHET will provide a full public health analysis to the Cabinet, and there will be economic analysis and social analysis before a decision is reached on the July 5 reopening, he said, adding that Cabinet will make a decision based on the viability of a “sustainable” reopening.

The speeding up or delay of reopening was always on the table, he remarked, but any decision would be made on the basis of public health advice.

While Minister Donnelly has suggested the reopening may not proceed as planned, Taoiseach Micheál Martin insisted yesterday there were no plans to further delay the reopening.

The planned reopening on July 5 would see a return to indoor dining, allowing more people from other households to visit indoors to your home and 50 people being allowed to attend a wedding.

The Restaurants Association of Ireland has said any delay in reopening indoor hospitality on 5th July will have a catastrophic economic effect on Restaurants, Cafes & Pubs specifically those in tourist areas.

"Indoor Hospitality is currently open in Irish Hotels and across all of Northern Ireland’s Hospitality industry.

Businesses are currently in the planning stage with regards to restocking, rostering and preparing to reopen on 5th July - a last minute, late postponement will have financial impact on terms of loss of stock."

The association said it is seeking an "urgent meeting" with the Government to clarify the situation.

The Cabinet will be briefed by the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) next week, ahead of the final decision on whether to proceed with further reopening on July 5.

‘When we look to our neighbours, we are looking in a crystal ball’

Cabinet ministers have also warned the return of international travel on July 19 could be delayed due to the Delta variant.

Ministers expressed “considerable concern” at the prevalence of the Delta variant in Ireland with several stating they expect the more contagious variant to become the dominant strain of Covid-19 here and believe Ireland’s take-up of the EU Digital Green Cert on July 19 is at risk of being delayed.

According to sources at Cabinet, Mr Donnelly voiced concern about the prevalence of the variant cases in Derry, especially among the 18 to 24 age group, and Donegal at Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting.

He also told ministers about measures being taken to contain the outbreak in Athlone.

An immunologist at University of Limerick said it is “premature” to make concrete decisions around international travel in light of the Delta variant.

In reference to high Delta case numbers in the UK, Dr Elizabeth Ryan said: “Through the whole pandemic, when we look to our neighbours, we are looking in a crystal ball to see our future.”

She said caution should be taken with the next steps for opening up including indoor dining and international travel.

“It’s not time to relax just yet,” she said. “I think that international travel could be premature. It depends on where the vaccines levels are.”

Meanwhile, Aer Lingus CEO Lynne Embleton told the Oireachtas Transport and Communications Committee that Covid-19 and associated travel restrictions have caused it to lose over €100m in the first months of 2021 and that this will continue.

She said that caused the company to close its cabin crew base at Shannon Airport permanently and temporarily close the Cork base, decisions which she said are not reversible.

Ms Embleton said the Government's decision to require pre-departure PCR testing as opposed to quicker, but less accurate antigen testing, has caused many people to decide against going abroad this year.

Last night, a further 294 cases of Covid-19 were confirmed. According to the latest figures from the Department of Health, there are currently 39 patients with the virus in hospital, down 14 on the previous day. There are 13 patients in intensive care.