"Level 3 is like level 5 for hospitality."
Level 3 restrictions are set to come into play for the whole country as of midnight tonight, causing business owners and hospitality workers, in particular, to scramble as they try to come up with a plan that will allow them to continue trading over the course of the next few weeks.
Always vocal about the struggles facing the food and beverage industry, Galway restaurateur JP McMahon is amongst several others to have criticised government's handling of the pandemic as it pertains to restaurants/cafes/pubs.
Saying that it's very much a
lose-lose situation, the local man detailed the stark reality of what running a business in accordance with current public health guidelines really entails. Confirming that they'll be operating at a loss - whether they decide to stay open or close their doors for the time being - it's clear that difficult times lie ahead.
"So if we
open for take away @cavagalway we lose €4,500 over a 4 week period. If we close, we lose €8,000. Great choices this morning. #COVID19"
Adding that "level 3 is like level 5 for hospitality", JP is not alone in feeling
frustrated by the current circumstances with many other business owners around the country expressing similar sentiments.
Replying to McMahon's comments, owners at Dublin restaurant Las Tapas de Lola noted that there is a "huge level of extra work for zero return".
"You need to factor in the stress involved delivering a takeaway service - we’ve found it’s on a whole new level to regular dine-in. Huge level of extra work for zero return aside from the joy of meeting familiar faces at the door collecting & the lovely messages afterwards."
Header image via Instagram/Cava Bodega Galway
