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Simon wants hotel beds for homeless

The Simon Community is calling on hotels and Airbnb hosts to offer their spaces to local authorities for homeless people that may have to self-isolate. simon0320

The charity says some emergency accommodation has communal areas, which will not be safe when the surge in cases of Covid-19 comes in the next couple of weeks

Wayne Stanley, head of policy with the Simon Community, says there is space to be used in the state now.

"Some of our accommodation people might have their own room and may even have an en-suite but still, cooking facilities, eating their meals, it's all shared," he said.

Airports Reduce Services

Dublin and Cork airports are scaling back passenger operations, but will keep runways open for supplies. dublinapt0320

Anyone who is travelling in the next couple of days from either airport is being encouraged to contact their airline.

All staff will be paid for rostered hours for the rest of the month, along with a week's leave, and in that time a deep clean of both airports will be carried out.

There will be no pay increases in 2020 and all recruitment has also been frozen.

The DAA said it will continue to try and get people home over the next couple of days.

'Tourism in Covid 19 Front Line' says ITIC

As hotels, attractions, restaurants, venues, pubs and many more hospitality businesses close their doors it is evident to all that Ireland’s tourism industry is in the business front visitors0919

line of the Covid-19 crisis that grips the country, says the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation.

A public health issue first and foremost, Covid-19 also has shattering economic implications and Irish tourism is facing catastrophic consequences. It is estimated that 140,000 people have already lost their jobs, many in the tourism and hospitality industry, and this is set to get worse in the coming weeks.

ITIC, last weekend set out a 3-point plan outlining the urgent and immediate measures needed by Government to protect Ireland’s largest indigenous industry and biggest regional employer during this unprecedented and immense challenge.

Cork Cancels Cruises

The Port of Cork has suspended all cruise liner calls for the next month due to the coronavirus outbreak.All cruise liners that were due to berth between now and April 20 have corkcruise1119 been cancelled.

The port has lost five calls as a result of the cancellation. Operations in the following months are now in question.

The first ship of the season - the MV Saga Sapphire - was due to berth in Cobh but was re-routed to Ringaskiddy instead.

The Port has welcomed clarity from the cruise lines in relation to the cancellations, with these decisions being taken in the best interests of public safety.

Hotel beds can help Covid 19 battle

Up to 15,000 hotel beds located within close proximity to Ireland’s hospitals could be freed up to support the HSE in managing the Covid-19 crisis. elaina0320

That’s the view from commercial real estate advisers Savills Ireland, as the Government prepares for a significant increase in the number of cases requiring treatment in the weeks and months ahead.

Meanwhile, the Irish Hotels Federation welcomed the initial measures announced by the Minister for Finance, Pascal Donohue today.

Said IHF President Elaina Fitzgerald:

'However the measures fall well short of addressing the significant challenges being faced now by businesses. Safeguarding public health is our absolute priority but this must go hand in hand with ensuring we have a viable economy after this crisis has passed. Decisive action is needed now to save large parts of the economy and the future livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of people, including 260,000 jobs in tourism and hospitality.