by Bernie English
THE head of the Limerick branch of the Vintners Federation says that many pubs and restaurants have already cancelled bookings for Christmas parties because of the uncertainty surrounding the latest Covid regulations.
Paul Flannery, who is owner of Flannery’s pub on Shannon Street, told the Limerick Post that there is “huge confusion” and that many businesses are now cancelling events because of a lack of clarity.
“Pubs and restaurant owners have to follow health guidelines and ask for vaccination proof from customers if we are to beat the disease.”
He was responding to a Department of Health report which concluded that vaccination certificates were not being demanded in one in three licensed premises.
“A group of lads came to our pub and I asked them to wait for seats so that we could check their Covid certs.
“They said ‘Oh, it’s like that is it? Other places don’t ask’ and then walked away.
“It’s the regulation but we’re seen as the killjoys for doing what we’ve been told to do. I’m personally convinced we should do this if we are ever to get back to normal and we will continue to do it to give our customers peace of mind.”
He was critical, however, that “while we are still waiting for detail it seems ridiculous that you can get up on a dance floor, boogie away and push into other people but you can’t sit beside someone on a barstool and have a drink.
“There’s a lot of confusion out there.
“It doesn’t apply to us because we are a small venue with walk-in custom but I know of places that have been cancelling Christmas bookings of parties because there is too much uncertainty.”
According to the HSE survey, just two per cent (136) of premises were flouting the regulations completely but a further 28 per cent (1,593) were not observing adequate compliance.
“Where additional measures or non-compliances were identified, appropriate follow-up engagement and action is undertaken by the HSE’s Compliance Officers,” the report said.
