Government ‘very willing’ to take advice to shut down hospitality and reimpose travel restrictions after Christmas

TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN has said the government is “very willing” to accept NPHET’s advice for a hotel industry shutdown before the New Year and the reimposition of inter-county travel restrictions.

Cross-country travel restrictions were temporarily lifted today before Christmas ahead of a scheduled reimposition on January 6.

The Taoiseach has said that this date is likely to be brought forward, but that the Cabinet would make a final decision on when it would start.

Speaking today, Martin described NPHET’s latest advice as “significant restrictions” and it comes amid the “rapid growth” of Covid-19 cases.

Martin said “Tier 3 plus” is likely to be in place before the New Year, but that the Cabinet will decide the exact restrictions when it meets next Tuesday.

Under Level 3 of the Living with Covid-19 plan, people are required to remain in their county except for work, educational, medical, and other essential purposes.

NPHET’s advice would also make bars and restaurants switch to take-out once again, a situation the Irish Hotel Federation described as “extremely shortsighted.”

Under the easing of the restrictions that entered today, two other households can also meet in another household. The new post-Christmas restrictions recommended by NPHET would mean that only one household can visit another.

“As you know, today we are relaxing the measures in terms of home visits, trips between countries and that was going to be out until January 6,” Martin told reporters at a virtual press conference after a meeting of the North South Ministerial Council.

And NPHET is making two key recommendations to move that date forward before New Year’s Eve. In terms of the actual date before New Years Eve, that’s something the government has to decide.

“But also, in addition to that, he is asking for restrictions on hospitality. It is Level 3 that would apply, but it would be Level 3 more severe than it would have been the case if we had continued until January 6, but obviously we will have ministerial contributions in this regard ”.

The Taoiseach said people will have “sufficient notice” about the tightening of restrictions.

“The government has to discuss this and will ultimately decide on Tuesday, but certainly given the increase in numbers over the last week, and it will rise again today, we are very willing to accept the advice,” he said.

Hospitality

The Licensed Vintners Association said today that the additional restrictions would be “overwhelming for the hospitality industry.”

“It is clear that the yo-yo approach of the government is not working. The government and NPHET seem to have only one mind when it comes to dealing with this pandemic – repeated shutdowns that are crushing the hospitality industry, ”said CEO Donall O’Keefe this morning.

IHF hoteliers have expressed “utter shock” at the likely reintroduction of restrictions after Christmas. IHF President Elaina Fitzgerald Kane says this would be “extremely myopic.”

“Limiting the options available to people looking for a safe place to stay and dine is not the answer. Doing this will inevitably concentrate the number of gatherings in people’s homes for a short period, ”said IHF President Elaina Fitzgerald Kane.

Addressing the concerns of today’s hospitality second, Tánaiste and the Minister of Business, Leo Varadkar, said they understand that they seek “certainty and clarity.”

“A lot of people have asked me this morning, saying they want to know what to do about ordering shares or canceling shares or what to say to their employees, so we will make a decision on that Tuesday.” he said.

“There is no recommendation from NPHET to close non-essential retail, personal services or gyms at this time. Who knows what will happen in the next few weeks or days, but just to reassure the retail sector, personal services and the gym and leisure sector that those businesses are not currently being considered. “