Opinion
04 Aug 20

Pubs that don't serve food won't be able to re-open next Monday

The Government decision not to implement Phase 4 is likely to have severe repercussions for music venues as well

Having considered the advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team, the Cabinet has just announced that bars that don't serve food will not be allowed to re-open next Monday. The earliest they'll be allowed to pull the shutters up is August 31. August 10 will however see face coverings become mandatory in shops.
Cyprus, Malta, San Marino, Monaco and Gibraltar are gone from the Green List of countries that can be travelled to in exceptional circumstances without mandatory quarantine regulations.

The news comes shortly after the announcement of today's Covid-19 stats of no new deaths and 45 additional confirmed cases. These include the seven workers at a Tullamore, Co. Offaly meat processing plant who have tested positive.

The Vintners' Federation of Ireland, whose CEO Padraig Cribben had described it as a "make or break day" for the pub industry here, will now seek compensation from the Government over what they see as their right to trade being taken away.

This would appear to put the brakes on music venues like Whelan's who'd previously announced plans to re-open on August 10 with the usual 450-capacity being reduced to 88 sat in groups of two, four and six with table service only. Lisa Hannigan (14); members of Kíla (15); and Paddy Casey (21 & 22) were all down to play shows, but these would now appear to be in jeopardy.

In a further blow to the League of Ireland, the GAA and other spectator sports, the 200 cap on outdoor crowds including players, staff, officials and media will not be increased to 500 as hoped.

Indoor events will continue to be capped at 50 people, which is bad news again for music venues and for those couples planning wedding receptions in excess of that number.

All in all, a depressing day for the hospitality and entertainment industries, although long-term it could prove to be in everybody's best interests.

Tánaiste @LeoVaradkar says "on the advice of NPHET we'll be recommending to Cabinet that we take a very cautious approach for the next couple of weeks ... we just can't risk moving backwards or risk the schools reopening" | https://t.co/C5loY47k1p pic.twitter.com/TqwH3YPlN7

— RTÉ News (@rtenews) August 4, 2020