VFI: publicans need immediate clarity on plans to reopen indoor service in ten days time

Friday, 25 June 2021 11:16

Indoor service at bars, restaurants and cafes is due to resume on July 5th, however Government sources have cast doubt over whether it can go ahead given concerns about the Delta variant.

The variant first discovered in India is 60% more transmissible than other strains and now accounts for around one in five cases here.

NPHET are due to meet next week to discuss the matter before making a recommendation to the government.

It means business owners may have as little as three days to prepare for any reopening.

Speaking to RedFM News, Chair of the Cork City branch of the VFI Michael O'Donovan says the messaging from government has been difficult to interpret:

"Most of us, we're all getting our deliveries in the next couple of days I myself am actually just on my way into my bar now because I'm getting my deliveries today and I've more deliveries Monday and Tuesday. And look, it's just really difficult to be gambling at this stage- do you order, do you bring back stock, don't you- because waiting until next Thursday and Friday evening to make a decision is just too late for us to get going for Monday so we have to get our stock in we have to re-engage with our staff, it's just a gamble at this stage, whether we are or whether we aren't."