Ireland to reopen all shops in May, hospitality in early June

will be the biggest party in the world!

Not sure they want a repeat of the Christmas debacle, where relaxing restrictions led to an increase in transmission.

That said, the lockdowns are also taking their toll on people.

Including those claiming regular jobless benefits, Ireland's unemployment rate stood at 24.2% at the end of March.

A majority of these, I imagine, will be in the hospitality industry, which has been impacted greatly. Here's hoping the dole queues will shorten.

Those laid off due to shutdowns make the vast majorrity of the unemployment numbers and they get 350.00 euros per week for the special payment. Many foriegn students who were on learning-english type students visas and working a couple days per week have quadrupled their income thanks to this virus, by gettng the payment (They don't want to go back to their restaurants etc). They're delighted, out wind surfing on the very windy Irish beaches. But anyone with a family to support 350 would be a big struggle.