Vintners hope for clarity as pubs face unprecedented closures
THE Vintners Federation of Ireland ( VFI) is hoping for clarity this week with regard to the public house sector as a result of guidelines laid down by the Government as efforts are made to fight back against the coronavirus.
Speaking to this newspaper yesterday, Ferns based publican, Tom Dunbar, who is a member of the organisation’s National Executive Committee, said it’s hoped there will be clarity for the sector this week following a meeting between the VFI , the LVA (Licensed Vintners Association) and the Government.
On Thursday the Government announced guidelines with regard to social distancing in indoor venues.
In a statement the VFI Chief Executive Officer, Padraig Cribben, said publicans had tried their best to implement social distancing guidelines.
However, he added that for many it’s proved an impossible task.
‘While we fully support the Government’s health guidelines our members do require urgent clarity about how to manage the current situation,’ said Mr Cribben.
‘We stand ready to help in any way we can but the Government must give us clear and unambiguous instructions that we can pass on to members,’ he added.
‘Like all small business owners, publicans are worried about the future.’
Mr Dunbar said he hopes to be able to have clarity on the situation for publicans throughout County Wexford this week.
Over the weekend the Government asked publicans all over the country to shut their doors in addition to hotel bars.
It’s also recommended the closures remain in place until March 29.
Both the LVA (Licensed Vintners Association) and the VFI have urged all members to close in line with the Government’s request.
Holohan’s Pub in Enniscorthy was one of the first pubs in the town to close its doors and in a post on its Facebook page on Sunday evening the pub issued a statement in which is said: ‘ To all our wonderful customers. We have taken the decision to close our doors from 7.30 p.m. this evening until further notice. We all know this is the right thing to do and in the interest of public health and the safety of our families, staff and customers.’
The Holohan family and their staff also wished all of their their customers ‘ the safest of transitions through this worrying time’.