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Businesses in Ireland may reopen faster than expected under the government’s established roadmap if the spread of Covid-19 continues to slow, Business Minister Heather Humphreys said.
In an interview Monday on the Irish Times Confronting Coronavirus podcast, Humphreys said the figures showing a slower spread of the virus were encouraging and could speed up the roadmap that sets the timetable for the reopening of the economy, if the trend continues. .
“We saw from this week’s numbers that we continue to flatten the curve,” said Humphreys.
“If that trend continues, we can begin to reopen the economy in line with the roadmap, if not faster.”
However, she said: “If the numbers go against us and rise again, we may have to reintroduce restrictions.”
Pressed by presenter Deirdre Veldon on the reopening schedule, especially for small businesses like hair salons and public houses, which will be the last to reopen, Ms Humphreys said: “If we do it right in the numbers and if we manage to reduce the amount of People who are contracting the virus have flexibility in the roadmap to allow them to open more quickly.
“Again, we will have to be guided by public health councils, but flexibility is certainly in the public health roadmap,” he said.
The Minister also indicated that the Government may consider reducing the VAT rate in the hospitality sector from 13% to 9%.
This rate was lowered by the 2011 coalition government during the last recession to help the sector, but the Finance Minister returned to 13% in last October’s budget. Pascual Donohoe.
She said this change would require legislation and that it cannot be passed until a new government takes office.
“Tailor-made supports will be needed for the hospitality sector and that will be an absolute priority for an incoming government,” he said.
Ms. Humphreys also outlined some of the protocols that will apply to employers as employees return to work. They will include staggered lunches and coffee breaks, and solutions to get to work and to use the restrooms.
He said the solutions would be different for a small store compared to a large factory, but he was confident that companies would find good solutions.
She said there would be no significant associated costs and also noted the supports available for companies to reopen after the crisis.
“It won’t cost anything to tell employees not to shake hands,” he said.
On the issue of wearing face masks in the workplace, he said there was no requirement to do so at this time, but the National Public Health Emergency Team was analyzing the problem.
She said that the Government will be guided by its advice.
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