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The sharp rise in Covid-19 cases in several counties, particularly Dublin, could result in a regional pub reopening, rather than a national level, hotel industry figures believe.
The Cabinet will discuss on Tuesday a memorandum outlining the state’s plans to face the pandemic in the medium term.
Among the more immediate steps proposed for September are the reopening of pubs that do not serve food and increasing the number of spectators allowed at outdoor sporting events.
However, the decision to reopen the so-called “wet bars” has already been delayed twice and the Government’s decision will be influenced by the advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team.
On Monday night, Acting Medical Director Dr. Ronan Glynn made a note of caution in light of the high numbers in Dublin and Limerick.
When asked about reopening pubs, he said: “It is possible, but we have to monitor the disease very closely.”
“There is a particular concern in several counties. If things hold steady, we can see … The next seven days in terms of people’s behavior are really important. “
Those comments, and previous comments from Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, were greeted by industry sources as a sign that if the numbers did not stabilize, there would not be a full reopening of wet pubs later this month.
Rather, the reopening date could be delayed for a third time, or a decision could be made to reopen pubs only in regions where numbers have stabilized. That could mean that pubs in Dublin, and possibly Limerick, remain closed.
Prudent Varadkar
Both the Taoiseach and Tánaiste had indicated before the weekend that the reopening of pubs in September was at stake, but Varadkar was more circumspect on Monday.
When asked if he could guarantee that the pubs would reopen in mid-September, he said he couldn’t. “That will be a decision of the government acting with the council of [the emergency team].
“What I’d like this time around though is to give the bartenders a date that really happens, because I know a lot of them feel like they got to a point on two occasions where they thought pubs were going to open in a few days.
“When we give a date, that date should be the date it actually happens.”
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said Monday she was in favor of the pubs reopening as soon as possible. She said the experience of pubs serving food was that they were “very capable of complying with very strict regulation.”
On Tuesday, Tipperary innkeepers will protest in front of Leinster House over continued pub closures as well as new regulations. The Independent Rural Group filed a private members motion for the Dáil on Wednesday opposing new regulations that require pubs to keep receipts for food consumption for 28 days.
Cork protests
Publicans who held protests outside the offices of Ministers Simon Coveney and Michael McGrath in Carrigaline, Co Cork, on Monday have pledged similar demonstrations across the country if the government does not protect their livelihoods.
Thirty publicans delivered letters to the two ministers asking that specific dates be set for the opening plan.
Michael O’Donovan, president of the Irish Vintners Federation in Cork City, said bar owners need certainty.
“We are looking for a date when pubs can open… There is a lot of stress right now, without knowing it. There will be other protests if necessary. “
Meanwhile, Noel Maguire, manager of the Baker Street bar in Gurranabraher on the north side of Cork City, said some of the guidelines would be challenging.
“I know the innkeepers that if they are not allowed to use the counter, it is not worth opening it. The 2m distance is ‘stay as long as you want’. The 1m takes you back to a time limit.
“When you have a small pub, you have regulars. When they come at night for their four or five pints, you can’t tell them to go home after two pints, ”she said.
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