Concern Over Lack Of Guidelines For Reopening Pubs

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The Chair of Clare Vintners has warned that many communities across the county will be left without a pub, due to the Government’s failure to provide guidelines on the re-opening of pubs.

The government will decide this evening if Phase 4 of reopening the economy can go ahead on Monday, which would mean pubs that don’t serve food would be allowed resume trading.

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Publicans are keenly awaiting this evening’s decision, which will allow them to re-open their doors in five days time, or not.

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar says he hopes they can re-open, but a delay now seems more likely after the National Public Health Emergency Team raised concern about Covid-19 cases in young people, and the reproduction rate.

Last night, 32 new cases of the coronavirus were confirmed in Ireland, the highest number in over a month – none of those were in Clare.

DCU health professor Anthony Staines is against plans to fully reopen pubs, and feels we’re already in a second wave of COVID-19

The Clare VFI Chair has hit out over the Government’s delay in providing guidelines surrounding re-opening.

Darragh McAllister has acknowledged the need to base decisions on public health advice, but believes that many pubs will be faced with very difficult decisions over the coming days.

There are 169 pubs in this county, employing hundreds of people, and the Ennis Publican fears many will never again opening their doors.