2,000 Kerry jobs at risk if two metre rule stays
MORE than 2,000 Kerry people who work in the hospitality sector won’t go back to their jobs if the two-metre social distancing restriction isn’t scaled back.
That’s according to a newly published Government report which reveals that less than a quarter of people working in hotels, pubs and restaurants will be able to return to work if the two metre rule is maintained for the tourism industry.
The Department of Business report warns that existing social distancing requirements will “render large portions of the sector unviable”.
It says just 25 per cent of all those employed in the hospitality sector are likely to be able to return to work if the restriction is not eased. The figures, based on research by Fáilte Ireland, also predict that nine out of 10 restaurants won’t reopen.
However, should the social distancing rule be halved to just one metre, the numbers returning to work would soar to over 60 per cent.
In Kerry that would equate to over 2,000 additional people returning to work when the next phase of the roadmap for reopening the country kicks in.
According to census figures close to 5.500 people in Kerry are employed in hotels, bars and restaurants. These include over 2,200 chefs, cooks and kitchen staff; more than 900 waiting staff; almost 650 bartenders and 1,300 hotel, restaurant and pub management staff.
Based on the Fáilte Ireland figures if the two metre rule is maintained just over 1,300 of these workers will be able to go back to their jobs.
If the rule was cut to one metre that figure would immediately jump to almost 3,300 representing a massive boost for Kerry’s tourism and hospitality dependent economy.
A review of the rule, including a possible change to one metre, is now being carried out by public health officials.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar last week also indicated that the two-metre rule might be lifted for some areas of society such as the tourism industry and schools. Local tourism businesses have long called for a reduction in the two-metre social rule. The World Health Organisation ( WHO) recommends a one metre distance.
Cllr Niall ‘Botty’ O’Callaghan who runs the Failte Bar in Kilarney, which is among some of the biggest bars in the town says the rule is unworkable
“The current 2m restriction is one of the biggest obstacles. We have one of the biggest bars in town and we could only fit 24 people in the bar.”