Home

Travel Agents Welcome Testing

The Irish Travel Agents Association has welcomed the decision from Government to require a negative COVID-19 test from all travellers into Ireland, and is calling for a testing consistent and uniform approach to pre-flight testing across Europe. The new rules will require anyone flying into Ireland to produce a negative PCR test result received within three days before arrival, in order to control the rising numbers of coronavirus cases in Ireland.

The Association believes that this type of testing will help to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus and work towards re-establishing global air connectivity after a difficult year for the travel industry. However, the ITAA ha emphasised the need for standardization of testing regulations across Europe, bassed on decisions made by the ECDC.

The ITAA believe that as well as reopening borders within the EU, testing will help to rebuild consumer confidence in travel. The Association support COVID-19 testing before travelling, as this will ensure a “clean” environment throughout the travel process.

Drinks Education On Line

The first drinks educational online platform is going live on indiegogo on 19th January,

Full details are avauiable on:

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/drink-in-the-first-drink-educational-platform/coming_soon/x/25075313

The on-line courses cover cocktail making, beer brewing, wine appreciation and similar subjects and are supported with books and videos.

DrinkIn, the company behind the project is also plannig a 'Drinks Retreat' in Majorca

Humphreys seeks PUP extension

Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys is expected to ask the Cabinet to approve the retention of the current Pandemic Unemployment Payment rates until the end of heatherhumphreys March, rather than reducing them on 1 February as was originally planned.

The move will be welcomed by more than 100,00 hospitality sector workers who are currently receiving the payment.

The PUP scheme launched last March has so far cost the exchequer in excess of €5 billion and is due to be terminated on 31 March 2021.

There are currently four rates of PUP ranging from €203 to €350 - depending on the claimant's pre-pandemic earnings.

On 1 February, those four rates are due to merge into two: €203 for those who earned less than €300 before the pandemic, and €250 whose pre-Covid earnings exceeded €300.

But that reduction was planned when it was thought the virus was under control - and the economy would reopen on a sustained basis.

The latest infection rates show tough restrictions and economic pain are set to last longer than anticipated for many people.

In light of that, it is understood Minister Humphreys will ask the Cabinet to sanction retention of the current PUP rates until the end of March, and shelve the planned cuts.

Travel curbs in new Lockdown

The Cabinet will today consider tighter public health restrictions, including stricter rules for travellers flying into Ireland and the closure of non-essential construction. corkairport

On travel, it is proposed that arrivals to Ireland must have a negative Covid test within the previous 72 hours.

This will initially come in to force from Saturday for travellers from Britain and South Africa.

Arriving passengers will still have to self-isolate for 14 days.

Government will also move to bring in requirements for other countries but this will take more time, possibly another week.

DAA lands Saudi deal

Dublin Airport Authority has won a contract to manage a planned new airport in Saudi Arabia.

The Daa – through its international investment arm Daa International – will operate the airport at the planned Red Sea Development Project, a new 28,000 sq km luxury tourism destination being developed on Saudi Arabia’s west coast.

The airport will form the first phase of the development, and is due to be completed by the end of next year.

Daa International already manages one of the terminals at King Khalid International Airport in the Saudi capital of Riyadh.

The company also holds a 20% stake in Dusseldorf Airport in Germany and an 11% stake in Hermes Airports, which operates Larnaca and Paphos airports in Cyprus.