A 'HAMMER BLOW' FOR HOSPITALITY

THE reintroduction of Covid-19 restrictions for Christmas is a "hammer blow" to the hospitality sector, it has been warned.

- JONATHAN McCAMBRIDGE

A range of rules will be in place from Tuesday until January 9, including the closure of nightclubs and strict social distancing requirements for bars and restaurants.

The requirements will see the hospitality sector largely go back to the situation before October 22, with a maximum of six adults per table and no multiple table bookings.

Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe had announced some targeted supports for the hospitality sector, but Elaina Fitzgerald Kane, president of the Irish Hotels Federation, said this "falls far short" of what is needed.

She added: "It is devastating that the Government has failed to restore employment supports for hotels despite the collapse in business levels witnessed throughout the country by our sector.

"We are calling on the Government to revisit this decision and urgently restore EWSS supports to November levels.