Irish pubs will topple over less tipples

Dublin – Ireland’s usually tightly packed pubs say they face ruin unless the government eases one of the strictest lockdowns in Europe.

Pubs there may only reopen in August and must keep drinkers two metres apart – reducing capacity for some from hundreds to dozens.

For Ronan Lynch, owner of The Swan, in central Dublin, a relaxing of the guidelines will be the difference between reopening or not.

“We’re at the periphery of Europe with a peripheral view of the two-metre rule. No business can operate at 25% capacity. It just doesn’t stack up,” said Lynch.

Bars in Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal and Germany have reopened with 1m to 1.5m guidelines. – Reuters