“We have done it on the basis of analysis on the data that is available to us.
“We think the level of social contact now happening has increased, we have the data that shows that over the last week, in particular, we have significantly increased to a level that we cannot cope with as a country. We have to reduce those social contacts.”
When asked if restaurants are where people are picking up the virus, Dr Holohan said: “In all the opportunities for people to have social contact we need to reduce those opportunities for social contact.
“Irrespective of the setting, but particularly when that setting is an indoor setting, particular in places where ventilation is poor, particularly where we have use of alcohol - and let’s be honest here, we have a challenge in this country, it is really difficult for us all to maintain public health guidance when it s mixed in with the use of alcohol.
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The hospitality industry is being singled out and treated like a scapegoat as the Government considers tightening restrictions nationwide after Christmas.
That s according to Mark McGowan, President of the Restaurants Association of Ireland.
There is a very strong likelihood that restaurants and gastropubs will be closed for New Year s Eve, the Taoiseach said today.
Micheál Martin said people can still have a meaningful Christmas but said that on foot of NPHET recommendations, it is likely that further restrictions will be in place after the festive period.
His comments came after the Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said we can t afford to do Christmas and New Year s in the normal way this year.
Businesses seek clarity over reimposing of restrictions
Updated / Friday, 18 Dec 2020
14:40
The Restaurants Association of Ireland has said it is devastated and hugely disappointed about expected Covid-19 restrictions being reimposed on the sector before the New Year.
Adrian Cummins, the CEO of the Restaurants Association, said the hospitality industry is being scapegoated again by indications that restrictions could come into force shortly after Christmas.
Mr Cummins also called for immediate dialogue with the Government and the hospitality industry and clarity for businesses. This is hugely soul destroying for our industry. Hospitality is being scapegoated. Our engagement shows that NPHET views hospitality in a different way to everybody else, he stated.
Waterford, Ireland / WLR
Dec 18, 2020 12:21 PM
A Waterford restaurant owner has said he’s ‘not really surprised’ that he may have to close his premises again on December 28.
It’s reported that Nphet wants pubs and restaurants to close their doors again three days after Christmas in light of concerns about coronavirus figures at present and possible increases in that as a result of Christmas.
The Restaurants Association of Ireland has already warned that further closures will have a devastating impact on the hospitality industry and thousands of jobs.
Cormac Cronin from Bodega and Burzza restaurants on John Street in Waterford city spoke to Damien Tiernan on Deise Today this morning.
The Government is set to meet on Tuesday, December 22 to discuss NPHET s advice and make a decision on measures.
Speaking on RTE Radio 1 s Morning Ireland Restaurant Association chief Mark McGowan said the new restrictions would be a slap in the face .
McGowan said: I think it s an enormous slap in the face to hospitality across Ireland. We ve been well versed, we re well prepared to tackle the disease head on in the form of the safety charter that was rolled out. We ve been training our staff as best we can putting additional practices in place. We re very much a highly regulated controlled environment.