Pubs and restaurants want level playing field for reopening

Pubs and restaurants should be allowed to reopen at the same time as retail.

That's the message from the hospitality sector, which is urging the government to put everyone on an even footing.

As cabinet tries to figure out how the country can exit Level 5, reports suggest that retail, gyms and hairdressers will be allowed to reopen next Tuesday.

But restaurants and gastro pubs may have to wait another week before they can welcome customers back.

Donall O’Keefe from the Vintners Association says wet pubs should be given the same opportunity as other businesses in the industry:

"We believe all hospitality businesses should face the same public health guidelines, the same restrictions, be subjected to the same Garda enforcement and then have the same opportunities to open.

"So we are working very hard with government to make the case to reopen all pubs together in early December."

“If we don’t open on 1st December, it’s very likely that the vast majority of business won’t open for December”

Reports suggest restaurants could have to wait another week after retail resumes trading

I spoke to @adriancummins of @RAI_ie pic.twitter.com/C8tKBg9lri

— Kevin O'Mahony (@Kev_OMahony) November 24, 2020

Adrian Cummins from the Restaurants Association says delaying their reopening will have serious consequences:

"If we don't open on the first of December, it's very likely that the vast majority of businesses won't open for December because opening for two weeks is not viable for the vast majority of businesses in restaurants.

"So we need an urgent answer from the government."

It is expected the country will be put into different stages of Level 3 restrictions for the month of December.