‘Angry and disgusted’ at Government decision on indoor activity
The Government’s U-turn on reopening the hospitality sector to allow indoor dining on 5th July, has been met with anger and dismay by some local business people, including several whom The Avondhu spoke with following Tuesday’s announcement.
The Government announced earlier this week that indoor dining, as well as some other planned easing of restrictions, would not proceed on July 5th as earlier planned. They instead plan to devise a system whereby those immune to Covid19, or already vaccinated, can partake of indoor activities with a ‘corona pass’, if a Delta wave should happen. Plans for this proposed ‘corona pass’ will be announced on 19th July.
‘UNFAIR’
Restaurateur Declan Corbett, owner of the Corbett Court restaurant in Ballinrush, Kilworth, told TheAvondhu how he felt the restrictions were unfair and discriminatory against those in the restaurant trade, as hotels will continue to be allowed to serve guests indoors.
“I’m angry and disgusted. It’s unfair, and it’s illegal what they’re doing. It wouldn’t be so bad if we were all on the same pitch, but they’re allowing hotels to open while we remain shut.”
Mr Corbett made the point that indoor dining is unduly targeted, when events like the Galway Races plan to go ahead with large crowds.
“How can 5,000 be safe at a race meeting? How are hundreds of people at a GAA match safe, but they can’t eat inside? We’re already fully booked out for Confirmations and Communions, for the next few weeks. We have deposits taken, staff hired - now we have to call them all, cancel them, return the money.”
‘WE’RE THE SCAPEGOAT’
Justin Finn, of J’s Bar in Mitchelstown, echoed the restaurateur’s feelings on the subject.
“It’s ridiculous, drinks indoors, drinks outdoors - what’s the difference? You have hotels, cinemas, all taking crowds of people. It’s discrimination and once again, we’re the scapegoats for the problem. If we were told a date, fair enough. We could plan but they’ve left us in the lurch again, waiting with no definite date on when we can reopen”.
On the subject of the ‘corona pass’, Mr Finn believes the scheme to be entirely unworkable.
“Ridiculous. It’s discrimination for a start. How are we going to tell someone they can’t come in, and someone else can? We’re the ones that’ll get sued,” he told TheAvondhu on Wednesday.
LIVING WITH COVID
The decision to delay reopening has been made on the back of NPHET’s modelling that detailed four scenarios - the most pessimistic would mean 2,170 deaths, while the most optimistic allowed for 80 deaths.
On Tuesday the Restaurant’s Association of Ireland made the statement that “Allowing vaccinated customers only to dine indoors is flawed, unworkable, discriminatory and currently illegal”. They are currently pursuing legal action against the government in relation to the fact that their industry is restricted, while the hotel trade is not curtailed to the same degree. The hearing will be held on 8th July.
Mr Corbett believes that society needs to work with the disease, and that people (in charge) are not being considerate of the realities of closing a business for weeks on end.
“Covid is going to be with us for years. We have to work with it - it’s not going away. How can four more weeks make a difference? It’s very easy for someone to say, “What’s four weeks?”, but it’s a big difference when you’re paying out insurance. Our insurance hasn’t dropped because we’re closed. Our ESB is still running at 50%, and we’ve no income. What are we going to do?”