PUBS, NIGHTCLUBS (AND COPPER FACE JACKS) SHOUT LAST ORDERS – FOR NOW

MANY pubs across the country have made the decision to temporarily close for the coming weeks, due to recommendations that indoor gatherings of more than 100 people do not take place.

Vintners representatives have said many larger businesses are closing this weekend until March 29, and they expect smaller pubs to follow suit as time goes on.

Communications and public affairs manager with the Vintners Federation Ireland, Brian Foley, said the recommendation will be a ‘seismic’ hit to publicans, who are incredibly concerned about the impact it will have on business.

‘It’s a very fluid situation.

The bigger guys are closing first,’ he said, adding that other businesses are likely to follow their lead.

‘It’s not something you can plan for but they’re very worried, and very worried for their staff as well. It’s hard to get your head around… because there’s no bottom to this yet.’

He said businesses will need help from customers if the guidelines of staying one metre apart are to be followed.

‘We’re encouraging all our members to follow the best practice guideline,’ he said.

‘It requires the cooperation of customers.’

One publican who will not be closing his Co. Kerry pub is Independent TD Danny Healy Rae, as he said it would not have 100 people in it at the same time, and claimed that would be the case in many rural public houses.

He told the Irish Daily Mail that coronavirus won’t do any harm to rural pubs ‘because there’s no one in them anyway’.

‘As far as rural Ireland is concerned… they need not be worried about them because they have them closed down anyway,’ Mr Healy Rae said.

However, he did say that the experts who recommended social distancing in public places, including pubs, must be listened to.

One of the country’s most famous hotspots is the latest business to be hit by the coronavirus, as Copper Face Jacks announced yesterday that it will be temporarily closing.

The Harcourt Street business made the announcement on its social media yesterday evening, after discussing the move yesterday afternoon.

The statement said: ‘Following advice from the Irish Government in relation to the cancellation of public gatherings of 100 people or more. We believe it is in the best interests of our valued customers and staff that we close until March 29th.’

In Cork City, Rearden’s Bar and the Voodoo Rooms also made the decision to temporarily close. When asked about nightclubs opening this weekend, Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said the venues were not being asked to close, but customers were being asked to consider social distancing recommendations.

‘The action for us is about empowering the individual to make a decision about maintaining their own distance from the kinds of activities that would involve close and ongoing social contact with other people, and that’s what we’re advising people to do,’ he said last night.

‘It may well be the case that a number of nightclubs stay open and provide an opportunity for people to visit.

‘I know that there are some that are looking at ways in which they might be able to comply with the guidelines while still operating.

‘We’re not asking nightclubs to not operate, we’re not asking nightclubs to close, we’re asking individuals to understand the nature of our recommendations, what they mean for them in their daily social activities.’

‘No harm to rural pubs’ ‘Empowering the individual’