Covid could wipe out half of all restaurants

Half of all restaurants across the country will close for good – unless infection levels drop and restrictions are eased before the end of the year.

The dire prediction from the head of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, Portumna native Adrian Cummins, comes as many establishments which remained opened for takeaway service under the last lockdown have chosen not to do so in the second wave Level 5 restrictions, scheduled to last six weeks.

“There’s little to no profit for takeaway food for a restaurant. It was a loss leader in the first lockdown and many have decided not to progress with it this time round. Our focus is now on getting restaurants open for the Christmas in a safe and structured way,” he told the Connacht Tribune.

“Everybody signed up to the Covid safety charter and that should be adequate to open up again in Level 3 yet it is not allowed. People are allowed to eat in a restaurant in a hotel at Level 3 but not on the high street which makes absolutely no sense. Does Covid know whether you’re in a hotel or in a regular restaurant?”

If Covid-19 infection levels drop significantly, the Government has stated that it planned to move from Level 5 to Level 3 in time for Christmas, which would allow travel outside counties and see retail outlets reopen but indoor dining and drinking would still be banned.

Read the full interview in this week’s Connacht Tribune, on sale in shops now – or download our digital edition from www.connachttribune.ie