In an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, all bars and public houses across the country must close.
Measures to prevent the spread of the virus have already happened with the voluntary closure of over 30 pubs and clubs in Temple Bar. Martin Harte, chief executive of the Temple Bar Company, said that businesses decided to close their doors after meeting with Gardaí and the health authorities. It is impossible to socially distance in such environments.
In a tweet, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said that the advice for no indoor gatherings of more than one hundred people applies to pubs and clubs. There has been evidence of people not adhering to these guidelines. Paul Reid, chief executive of the Health Service Executive (HSE), said that some businesses and customers have acted quite recklessly.
It has now been decided that all pubs and clubs must close at midnight tonight. Minister for Health Simon Harris made the announcement.
In the interest of public health, all pubs and all bars in Ireland will close effective this evening until the 29th of March.
Donall O'Keeffe, chief executive of the Licensed Vintners Association, acknowledging that the closure was the right thing to do, said this was an absolutely traumatic day for the trade with the closure of 7,000 pubs and the loss of 50,000 jobs overnight.
Simon Harris also appealed to people not to hold what he described as COVID-19 house parties.
In Northern Ireland, there are still no restrictions on social gatherings. Some bars have taken it upon themselves to close their doors. Publican Andrew Shortt has made the decision to close his pub The Blind Cobbler in Omagh County Tyrone to protect the health of his staff and customers.
The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) will meet again tomorrow to provide further public health advice on COVID-19.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 15 March 2020. The reporter is Fergal O'Brien.
