Clare publicans say they’re hoping to give customers a ‘sense of normality’ once more as they re-open today.
So-called ‘wet pubs’ across this county and elsewhere – except Dublin – open today after being closed for six months.
However, health officials are urging people to still limit their social interactions, and are warning that the virus is spreading in many counties.
Pubs in Clare and throughout Ireland were closed from 15th March and have remained shut for longer than any other country in Europe.
Robust protective measures will now be in place to try to avoid spreading the virus as they reopen their doors, including perspex screens at the bar, table service only, earlier closing times and a limit on numbers allowed on the premises.
But, any time limit on sittings – as previously seen in pubs that serve food – will not be applied in pubs where social distancing of two metres or more can take place.
Clare Chair of the VFI, Darragh McAllister, says publicans here are ‘quietly confident’ at making the new measures work.
The opening of pubs comes despite continued concerns about the spike in COVID-19 cases across the country.
There were 1,982 confirmed cases of the virus last week – an increase of 50% when compared with the week before.
NPHET member Professor Philip Nolan has questioned how often people should be going to pubs, even though they are open once more.
Dublin’s pubs remain closed, as the capital remains subject of stronger restrictions, and concern remains that pubs in other parts of the country could also be shut down once more.
There’s growing concern from the government about the increasing number of cases nationally in several counties.
Government official Liz Canavan has stressed that the virus isn’t just spreading in Dublin.
While the situation in Clare is not causing elevated levels of concern at the minute, publicans and other traders will worry that their businesses could suffer once more in the event that restrictions here have to be stepped up once more.
William Browne, of Browne’s Pub in Parteen, says publicans will do all they can to trade safely.
