From Monday, July 20, hotels in North to reopen
Economy Minister Diane Dodds has said she’ll bring forward proposals to Monday’s executive meeting about the reopening of the tourism and hospitality sectors.
Hotels here are currently due to reopen on Monday, July 20 – three weeks later than is scheduled in the Republic which will open on June 29.
Restaurants and bars which sell food will also open on June 29 in the Republic.
Hoteliers in the North, particularly in border counties like Derry, are concerned that this will put them at an unfair disadvantage and people will flock to hotels in Donegal to socialise and for family breaks.
Speaking on last night’s BBC The View programme, Mrs Dodds said she wanted to bring the date forward, but it would be a collective decision for the executive.
“We will choose a date that is particularly important for Northern Ireland,” she said.
“We don’t have to follow anyone, we’ve to do the right thing for Northern Ireland.
“So what we are going to do is look at how soon we can get the guidance out.
“And again the tourism group in my department, along with the sector, has been preparing guidance for the reopening of the sector.f
“We will be bringing that forward in the next week,” she added.
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