Tell us how to open our pubs
Rural bars demand guidelines in hope of serving safely by July 20
A RURAL pub without bar stools? Or no pub at all? That could be the future, publicans are warning, unless they are told how they can reopen.
Nearly 3,400 rural pubs are demanding that they be given guidance from the Government and Fáilte Ireland on how they can safely open for business from July 20.
Pubs that serve a substantial meal with drinks were allowed to reopen on June 29, however, all remaining pubs have had to keep their doors shut for another ten days.
The Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI), which represents pubs and bars outside of Dublin, said yesterday that guidance is ‘urgently’ required if publicans are to be in a position to open as they need to ensure their business met public health requirements. The VFI said that the delay is causing anxiety in some rural communities, with many of these unopened pubs serving as the only gathering locations or hospitality venues in their area. Marie Mellett, owner of Mellet’s Bar in Swinford, Co. Mayo, said if customers can’t sit at the bar, they may stay away.
She said: ‘For most rural pubs the bar counter is where all the action is, but we don’t even know if bar stools will be allowed. If they’re not, the impact on small pubs will be massive as many of our customers will only sit at the bar.’
Galway publican and owner of Walsh’s Bar in Dunmore, Joe Sheridan, said that he and his staff are in limbo.
‘I’m completely in the dark about how we should prepare the pub for reopening,’ he said. ‘The guidelines are critically important.’
CEO of the VFI Padraig Cribben said yesterday that the majority of rural pubs have yet to reopen and they are committed to implementing the guidance once it is published. The Irish
‘Such images strike fear into people’
Daily Mail contacted Fáilte Ireland and the Department of Tourism asking when the guidance will be issued. No response was received from either.
Last weekend was the first weekend that pubs serving food were allowed to open. However, scenes in Dublin of large crowds of people drinking outside of pubs and not observing social distancing were criticised.
This led professor of public health and epidemiologist at the Royal College of Surgeons, Ruairí Brugha, to call for pubs to close again to give time to prevent a second wave of Covid-19.
Prof. Brugha said: ‘The insides of pubs, when distancing breaks down and noise levels rise, fuelled by alcohol, are riskier still. Such images strike fear into the vulnerable that are most at risk from a second wave.’
He called for all pubs to be closed by July 10 and postpone reopening them until at least August 4.
Following a Garda operation last weekend, 26 licenced pubs were found to be not in compliance with health regulations and licencing laws. In many of these cases, customers were found to be consuming alcohol but no evidence of food being consumed or receipts to that effect.
Gardaí also observed a lack of adherence to public health advice such as allowing large groups at the one table, little to no social distancing, no advisory signage, and no Covid-19 contact tracing being recorded. Files are being prepared for the DPP. On this, CEO of the VFI Mr Cribben said: ‘The news that 26 publicans – out of a total of over 7,000 –could face prosecution for breaching guidelines is a welcome development and reminds all within the industry that breaking guidelines will not be tolerated.’
Speaking yesterday, assistant secretary at the Department of the Taoiseach Liz Canavan said: ‘The gardaí remain concerned that a minority are in breach of the regulations. In doing so they’re putting the health of their customers and staff and everyone they come into contact with at risk of contracting Covid-19.’