Following the publication of the updated roadmap for Covid, the Licensed Vintners Association (LVA) has largely welcomed the lifting of various rules within the hospitality sector.
However, the LVA also believes the Government’s decision to only permit live music with social distancing is contradictory and will delay the recovery of that sector.
The trade association and representative body for the publicans of Dublin has also warned that hospitality is one of the main platforms for live music and that the sector will be “slow and reluctant” to commit to performers while the current restrictions remain in place.
Elsewhere, the LVA has also called for Government supports to be extended into 2022.
Speaking about the new changes, Donall O’Keeffe, Chief Executive of the LVA described the majority of the new changes as "positive news" and was delighted that 300+ venues around the country are now able to start planning for their reopening.
However, Mr O’Keeffe also said that more needs to be done in order for pubs and venues around Ireland to fully recover.
"We were surprised that the Government took the decision to permit live music but then limit it to seated audiences," he said.
"This seems a little contradictory. The practical impact of that is many hospitality businesses will, unfortunately, be slow and reluctant to commit to performers when everyone is restricted to their tables. Given that hospitality provides a significant number of the platforms available to live entertainment this will undoubtedly delay the recovery of that sector.
“Looking at the overall picture it should be noted that while there was progress in this announcement, the reality is that severe restrictions remain in place for all pubs for another seven weeks, while nightclubs and late bars will remain closed for that period.
"That will bring their total closure to 585 consecutive days. This is far from business as usual for our sector and we expect that will be acknowledged in the form of extended supports being provided by the Government."
In terms of the major changes that are due to be introduced to Ireland's hospitality sector, October 22 will to mark the lifting of all restrictions subject to the 90% vaccination target being reached and the incidence of the virus remaining stable.
From this date, nightclubs will be allowed to return, while pubs will have their 11.30pm curfew extended.
Vaccine passes will also be scrapped from this date while live music will also be permitted.
