Ireland is back in business today after more than three miserable months of lockdown.
Almost every service is welcoming customers again for the first time since March as pubs, restaurants, hotels, hairdressers, cinemas, gyms and churches re-open.
But experts have warned this is only the beginning of a survival battle for struggling smaller businesses and childcare facilities devastated by the pandemic shutdown.
From today, families and friends will be reunited as travelling anywhere in the country is permitted.
With more than 11,000 babies born during lockdown, many grandparents will be meeting their new grandchildren for the first time.
The easing of restrictions in today’s Phase 3 re-opening also means that staycations will now be possible, as hotels look forward to welcoming guests from around the country.
And wedding dreams for couples hoping to tie the knot this summer become a reality again as groups of up to 50 people can gather indoors, with up to 200 outdoors.
But the business sector has warned that while the Government may think the job of suppressing the virus is done, many smaller operations are bracing themselves for a second wave of financial pressures.
John Devaney, president of CPA Ireland, formerly the Institute of Certified Public Accountants, warned this week will mark the start of the survival battle for many small Irish firms.
He said: “The new Government might think the job was done but the reality is that many SMEs won’t make it out of lockdown without considerable Government supports.
“We can all commend the initial response to the crisis which was swift and comprehensive in supporting businesses.
“But how our economy recovers will be determined not by that response but by what is done from today. In the business world there will be a ‘second wave’, this is inevitable.”
The biggest concern for businesses, Mr Devaney said, is many will have depleted cash reserves.
He said: “Over the space of just a few months many SMEs have had cash reserves completely obliterated.”
A number of creches have also been forced to shut down permanently, unable to stay afloat.
This means that children and families across the country are left without childcare options, and staff have lost their jobs, according to the Federation of Early Childhood Providers.
But childcare facilities that are able to open today are looking forward to welcoming the children back, and are assuring parents that all safety guidelines are being followed.
Elaine Dunne, CEO of the federation, told the Irish Daily Mirror: “I’d like to welcome the families that are coming back in, and say to them that we have put every protocol in place to ensure that the health, safety and wellbeing of children and staff are being met at all times.
“We’re looking forward to seeing the children’s happy little faces and seeing them chatting and laughing again.
“We’ve all been closed now for three months and we’re very grateful to have the children coming back in.”
But Ms Dunne warned that many facilities will not be able to meet operational costs, and will never be able to reopen.
She said there are 7,000 children with additional needs across the federation’s facilities - and expressed grave concerns that their educational and social needs are not being met.
And for other businesses who are able to reopen their doors today (MON), things will certainly not go back to the way they were before the pandemic.
Only pubs and hotel bars that serve food will be able to reopen. While there, customers must buy
a €9 meal, maintain a social distance of one metre and only stay for a maximum of one hour and 45 minutes.
This means that nearly 60% of pubs will not be reopening until the final phase of the Government roadmap on July 20.
The Vintners’ Federation of Ireland said yesterday (SUN) that the partial reopening of the country’s pubs will enable publicans to start rebuilding their businesses after three months of enforced closure.
But it will also put major pressure on them to ensure new health guidelines are properly enforced.
Chief Padraig Cribben said: “After being the first sector to close due to the Coronavirus threat in mid-March, we welcome this opportunity for pubs serving food to recommence trading.
“There is a pent-up public demand to return to the pub, mixed with some natural anxiety, but we’re hopeful the considerable time and money spent by publicans ensuring their premises are as safe as possible will reassure the public that hospitality remains at the heart of our pubs.”
In Cork, Fergal Harte, general manager at The Kingsley and chair of the city’s Irish Hotels Federation branch, said his staff look forward to welcoming people from across Ireland.
He said: “There’ll be lots of good offers out there and I know that we’re all really anxious to welcome our guests back. We’re looking forward now with anticipation to that.”
Elaine Dunner, wedding and events manager at The K Club in Co Kildare, said she was looking forward to once again hosting wedding events.
She told the Irish Daily Mirror: “I’ve really felt for couples this year because there has been so much uncertainty.
“I think there are going to be a lot of couples who will be very relieved.”
Meanwhile, another person has died as a result of Covid-19, it was confirmed last night.
Just three new cases were confirmed across Ireland.
The figures, released by the National Public Health Emergency Team, showed a total of 25,439 patients are now infected with the bug.
The HSE said it is working to identify any contacts the patients may have had to provide them with information and advice to prevent further spread.
The virus has now killed a total of 1,735 people here.
