Publicans Say Country Faces ‘Two-Tier Christmas’ If Hospitality Remains Closed After Tier 5

The Licensed Vintners Association (LVA) and the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) have expressed concern that the country faces a “two-tier Christmas” if the hospitality sector remains closed after they are lifted. Level 5 restrictions.

After the current six-week lockdown ends, the country is expected to remain at Level 3 until the New Year.

However, on Level 3, restaurants, cafes and pubs can only remain open for take out and delivery and alfresco dining or service for a maximum of 15 people.

It is understood that during a briefing with business groups on October 19, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar also said that the goal is for the country to return to Level 3 by December 1.

It is understood that the Tánaiste is not optimistic that the pubs can reopen their doors at Christmas.

If Tier 2 were approved in December, it would allow them to reopen interior services, with additional social distancing restrictions.

The LVA and VFI have said that bar staff across the country are contacting their employers to ask if they can return to work in December, saying they cannot pay for Christmas for their families with Pandemic Unemployment Pay (PUP). ).

A third of Dublin’s pubs (approximately 250) have not been open for a single day since March 15, while nearly half of the pubs across the country were listed for a total of just over two weeks during that period, before closing again when the government tightened restrictions, vintners said.

“If pubs and the rest of the hospitality industry are closed in December, while the rest of the economy can trade, there will be a two-tier Christmas in this country,” said Donall O’Keeffe, executive director of the LVA.

It is not right for the government to impose this burden on tens of thousands of families across Ireland. It is not okay for government policy to create a division between the haves and the have-nots across the country around Christmas.

Padraig Cribben, CEO of VFI, said: “Limiting the hospitality business to an outdoor capacity of 15 people just won’t work in December. The government could also take the keys to most of these businesses. It certainly won’t allow 90% of the industry to go back to work.

Publicans and their staff have already shown that they can open successfully and safely according to government guidelines. This was demonstrated when the food pubs reopened in June and when the traditional pubs outside of Dublin reopened in late September.

“We hope that the government realizes the importance of promoting Christmas goodwill for all sectors, this year of all years.”