Coronavirus: Irish shutdown eases with hospitality reopening

Restaurants, cafes, hotels and some pubs in the Republic of Ireland are reopening on Friday in a further easing of Covid-19 restrictions.

It is the latest phase of the country's gradual reopening after six weeks of lockdown.

Since 21 October, the Irish public have been asked to stay at home under most circumstances and travel only for essential purposes.

Only pubs that have a kitchen and serve food can reopen on Friday.

Most pubs in County Donegal cannot reopen because they do not serve food

Martina Barrett, secretary of the County Donegal branch of the Vintners' Federation of Ireland, said it was "good news" for the pubs that can trade again.

About 80% of the pubs in the county are drink-only pubs, including Ms Barrett's pub in Portnoo.

"It would be nice to know what's next for the wet pubs," she told BBC News NI.

"There has been absolutely no mention of when we might be able to open again, that's been disappointing.

"We still do not know what the long-term plan is."

In bars that are to reopen, alcohol can only be sold to a person at the same time as they order a meal for at least €9 (£8).

• Much of NI lockdown to end next Friday

Stephen Elliott will be able to reopen his pub in Letterkenny because it also serves food.

But the County Donegal bar owner said he has sympathy for drink-only pub owners who cannot reopen.

"As long as they are able to follow social distancing guidelines then I think there should be no problems if you're eating a pizza, a roast dinner or even a packet of peanuts," he said.

"I think everywhere should be open."

Drink-only pubs in Northern Ireland still remain closed under the current guidance

Cafes and restaurants will open again for the first time in six weeks.

Brendan McGlynn runs tea rooms in Letterkenny and is expecting a busy first day back in business.

"I know from the amount of comments on Facebook people are really looking forward to getting back in, having their breakfast, a coffee, having their lunch," he said.

"And the staff are looking forward to seeing everyone."

'Not turning anyone away'

Speaking to BBC Radio Foyle, Mr McGlynn said he does not believe there will be an influx of people from Northern Ireland but said he would not be turning anyone away if they came from across the border.

"We are not in the business of turning people away and we will not be turning anybody away, because we will not be asking them where they are from.

"I am quietly confident everybody will look after us and we will look after them," he added.

On Thursday Prof Philip Nolan of the National Public Health Emergency Team said Ireland was at a "constant level of disease" and had reached the full extent of gains from the most recent restrictions.

He asked people to use "extreme caution" to avoid an infection surge over Christmas.

Shoppers queue outside Penneys in Dublin before it opened on Tuesday morning

Retail outlets, hairdressers, museums and libraries in the Republic of Ireland reopened earlier this week.

People can also attend religious services again, while hotels and guesthouses, with services limited to residents only, have also reopened.

Gatherings of 15 people can take place outdoors.

Inter-county travel restrictions end on 18 December when up to three households will be allowed to meet indoors.