A prominent Clare musician says he’s ‘worried’ about the mental health impact enhanced COVID-19 restrictions will have on people in the profession.
A raft of new measures will come into force from midnight tonight.
In the next 12 hours, nightclubs are to close and restaurants and pubs have had to reduce bookings to no more than six people at a time.
Multiple table bookings in hospitality settings are also to be scrapped, as will dancing at night time events.
Indoor events are to be reduced to 50 percent capacity too, with these restrictions to be in place until January 9th.
The Government has suggested the measures are being implemented amid concern about increased socialisation in the run up to Christmas, along with concerns about the Omicron variant.
One East Clare publican though believes the restrictions have been put in place prematurely.
Batt O’ Riordan of The Half Barrell in Whitegate says custom in his establishment hasn’t yet hit anywhere near pre-pandemic levels.
The government is to meet today with representatives from the hospitality and events sector.
It’s expected an announcement is to be made tomorrow on the restoration of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment for those impacted.
Ennis-based musician Mike Hanrahan, of Stockton’s Wing, is concerned about the mental toll the latest announcement will have on those within the music industry.
He says entertainers are being forced to look for alternative employment.
An Ennis restauranteur says planning ahead for businesses is now becoming increasingly difficult.
Dermot Fetton from Henry’s Bistro and Wine Bar doesn’t believe the State has a ‘bottomless pit’ of resources to retain pandemic supports.
