Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
CHEERS.. OR TEARS?
Executive to discuss reopening of badly-hit industry
THE Executive is to meet today to discuss the lifting of some Covid-19 restrictions, Deputy First Minister Michelle O’neill has said.
The current set of measures are set to come to an end on Friday but pressure is mounting to keep the hospitality sector closed for a further two weeks.
Businesses have demanded clarity as soon as possible, with public health chiefs calling for an extended period of closure for the sector.
Ms O’neill suggested there could be some “flexibility” shown to the industry, but said so-called “wet pubs” would remain shut.
She told the BBC the Executive would not keep restrictions in place longer than was necessary and would examine which areas could be safely reopened.
Ms O’neill said: “We believe there is some f lexibility within the current restrictions that we could maybe open up things, so, for example, close-contact services – is there space for us to be able to open those things up again from next
Friday, in a very regulated way of course? The restrictions very much focus on the hospitality sector right now so we’re looking at that wide family.”
Meanwhile, it is understood the Department of Health has proposed extending the closure of the hospitality sector for a further two weeks.
Ms O’ N e i l l said: “A c r o s s h o s p i t a l i t y, you’ve everything from a cafe or a coffee shop, right through to a nightclub and they ’re two ver y different scenarios.
“We’re looking at whether there is any space or scope there to lift some of those things in a graduated way over the course of the next number of weeks.”
The Sinn Fein representative added alcohol was a factor in considering what can reopen, because it causes people to lower their defences.
She revealed the Executive is considering allowing cafes and restaurants to open without alcohol, while bars remain closed.
Hospitality Ulster has urged politicians to make “the right call” to save thousands of jobs and hundreds of businesses by allowing the entire hospitality sector to reopen on Friday. Chief Colin Neill said: “We really need the Executive to make
IN LIMBO Bars are set to reopen on Friday
CONCERN Hospitality Ulster chief Colin Neil says it’s vital firms reopen now sure the focus is on getting the entire hospitality sector back up and running again this Friday to save a significant amount of jobs and businesses.
“We now face a really important part of the year and although we are live to the fact that this will be an extremely challenging trading period, we need to have the doors open.
“Hundreds of businesses are struggling and now in debt as they try to keep staff in the face of mounting bills and a lack of financial aid from the Government which covers very little in reality.
“If there is any decision to defer then it simply cannot be for anything more than two weeks.
“November 27, for example, only gives four weekends in which to trade before Christmas.
“Any date beyond that will have a huge impact and we’ll likely see thousands of lay-offs and businesses not fit to reopen
again if there is any delay. We have not seen anywhere near the level of financial support needed to preserve businesses that are closed, even the furlough scheme, whilst welcome, does nothing to help those under pressure.
“Every day businesses are closed, which means more job losses and more business failures – it’s as simple as that.”
However, there has been conflicting views at Stormont with Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon echoing calls for an extension
The SDLP minister said: “On the evidence I have seen, that we were presented with today [November 5], my view is we should be extending the restrictions for a further two-week period.
“I am also saying very clearly that if we are to do that as an Executive, then we need to be providing the financial support to those businesses w h o a re i mp a c t e d b y those decisions. For me the focus here is on Christmas.
“Families need to be together at Christmas.
“They need to be together safely. For businesses and the hospitality sector, Christmas is their busiest time.”
Ms O’neill added: “We analysed the current situation and we have a further meeting t o mo r r o w a n d w i l l ma ke a n announcement to what comes next. “The current restrictions come to an end at midnight on Thursday. It’s very clear we have been effective across the board, we’ve brought the R rate down, that’s important. “For example, close contact services, is there space for us to open those things up again from next Friday, in a ver y regulated way of course, on an appointment by appointment basis, a one-in-oneout basis?” Health Mi n i s t e r Robin Swann has also hinted a t the need for further restrictions, saying “winter will be undoubtedly a tough slog”.
In a statement to the Assembly on Friday evening, he added: “If we do not take action we almost certainly will have to intervene more significantly if we are to avoid our health service being overwhelmed.”
Meanwhile, yesterday saw seven further deaths related to Covid-19 in Northern Ireland and an additional 420 cases.
It brings the total number of fatalities related to the disease to 781 and the total number of cases to 42,917.
There are now 396 people with the virus in hospitals, 55 of them in intensive care units.
There are 25 available ICU beds, an increase of three on the previous day’s figure.hospital bed occupancy is at 92%, with 226 beds currently available.