A pub has cancelled its New Year's Eve celebrations due to fears about confusion among customers about the current Covid rules.
Le Pub on High Street in Newport has cancelled its Glitter Ball Ball, which was due to take place on Friday night, saying the current restrictions on mixing would put too much pressure on staff to make sure customers followed the rules as they ring in the New Year.
As of December 26, Wales has entered a new period of restrictions which include a maximum of six people per table at bars and restaurants, as well as table service only and the closure of nightclubs. You can read all the current restrictions here.
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In a statement on its social media, Le Pub said it had made the decision both for its staff's state of mind and customers' safety.
"While the majority of people understand the restrictions we also understand just how difficult they are to follow when all you want to do is hug the people you love at midnight. If they are on a separate table we won't be able to allow you to do that," the statement read.
"We don't feel it's right to ask our staff to spend their New Year's Eve having to constantly remind others to sit down and return to their tables. We don't want them to start the New Year upset and we don't want you leaving upset with us either."
Le Pub, which has been open in Newport for 29 years, said its decision "isn't an attack on the restrictions or the Welsh Government" and that it would "as always, do what we are asked to do to keep people safe.
"This is a decision we have made that keeps people safe but will also look after our staff and their state of mind at a time when we are looking to a new year."
The pub added that it would instead be opening on New Year's Day.
Since Wales entered its latest period of restrictions, fears have been raised over New Year's revellers travelling over the border to England, where restrictions on hospitality are looser and nightclubs remain open.
Nick Newman, the chair of the Cardiff Licensees Forum, told The Guardian that he expected many people to leave Wales for England on Friday.
He said: “It’s 40 minutes from Newport to Bristol and it’s easy to get from north Wales into Manchester or Liverpool. English businesses are going to benefit. We’re hugely disappointed with the stance the Welsh Government is taking, especially not presenting the evidence that links the virus to the hospitality industry.”
You can read more about what the Welsh hospitality industry said about it here.
