Among the restrictions being considered is a 5pm curfew for pubs and restaurants, as well as other cultural events.
NPHET’s latest recommendations for Ireland coming up to Christmas could have a colossal blow on the hospitality industry.
According to RTÉ News:
“Restaurants Association of Ireland Chief Executive Adrian Cummins said there needs to be immediate engagement with Government because the industry is in a “very precarious position” with Christmas a number of days away.”
Cummins also said that if the 5pm curfew is implemented, it will act as an effective lockdown for the sector.
Of Aniar and Cava, Galway, J.P. McMahon tweeted his fears for staff, and that a 5pm closing for his restaurants would mean a total closing.
So I go to bed wondering whether our restaurants will be open for Christmas and if our 50 staff will have jobs. 5pm closing will close @AniarGalway and @cavagalway
Thanks #NPHET for the leaks. Happy Christmas to you too 😭— Dr. Jp McMahon (@mistereatgalway) December 16, 2021
Las Tapas de Lola, Dublin, responded to McMahon with this tweet.
We hold on to the last thread… maybe ridiculous leaks.. maybe not but if it’s not – good luck to us trying to persuade the fantabulous people we persuading we were a good bet to take – we being Hospitality. This reaches far beyond closing Monday 🤬 🤞🙏 https://t.co/slDV69mZyo
— Las Tapas De Lola (@LasTapasDeLola) December 17, 2021
The leak of this information has caused a significant stir among restaurant and pub owners, who took to Twitter to vent their frustrations on the matter. Gaz of Michaels, Dublin, described it as “head wrecking on every front.” The Wicklow Escape, a foodie mountain lodge, responded with fears over what this would mean for their five fully booked days over New Years.
I’ve 5 fully booked days over New Years. We meant to Chuck our hotel guests out? Or are they going to be shitty to just restaurants again?
— The Wicklow Escape (@wicklowescape) December 16, 2021
Anthony Gray, ambassador for Sligo Food Trail, tweeted about the “mental meltdown” for “staff & families.”
https://twitter.com/anthonygsligo/status/1471755195440930818?s=20
Street 66 Dublin spoke of the irrevocable damage this would have on the sector.
https://twitter.com/st66dublin/status/1471645170898722816?s=20
Panti also took to Twitter to discuss how this would be “absolutely crushing” for staff, and that the curfew would “be a closure order in all but name for us.”
This would be a closure order in all but name for us and everyone else, apart from lunch/sandwich places. The thought of locking the doors and letting all the staff go again is absolutely crushing. https://t.co/dV57hZ0ylu
— Dr Panti Bliss-Cabrera (@PantiBliss) December 16, 2021
Grogans, Dublin simply said: “You could not make this up.”
You could not make this up.
Insane. https://t.co/GGUCCUltJK
— Grogans Castle Lounge (@GrogansPub) December 16, 2021
There is likely to be a government announcement later on, where they will decide how to proceed into the Christmas period.
Header image via Shutterstock
READ ON: NPHET recommends 5pm effective curfew for pubs and restaurants ahead of Christmas
