Cafe owners in Waterford have been told that they cannot use outdoor seating for customers until the end of this month.
Yesterday, Waterford Gardai visited a number of cafes in the city informing them that their outdoor seating arrangements were in breach of Covid-19 restrictions.
They were told they would have to wait until June 29th when the country is expected to enter Phase Three of the easing of restrictions.
It's understood that over the weekend business owners in Dungarvan and Tramore were also told to stop allowing customers to dine al fresco.
Speaking to WLR, Fianna Fail Councillor Eddie Mulligan says he is calling for clarity from Gardai and Waterford Council as business owners didn't realise that they were doing anything wrong. He says customers can still order a takeaway coffee or food and sit on pre-existing public seating but businesses cannot provide that seating for them.
"They are allowed to provide takeaway coffees. While people can use public seating it's the businesses that are providing seating outside and speaking to alot of the business owners, they had provided reduced seating to ensure two metres physical distancing into account but however Gardai say this isn't enough and from today they need to remove this seating. However they will be allowed to put that seating back in place from June 29th."
On social media, Fianna Fail Councillor Adam Wyse said, "Supposedly law is that business cannot have outdoor seating until June 29th and this will be enforced tomorrow. I am sure Garda are only enforcing what they are told is currently law. I am looking for official word from Gardai as council advice today was that it was not illegal. We cannot afford to have these mixed messages. This needs to be rectified ASAP tomorrow morning so business owners know what to do. It doesn't make sense that for example you could order a takeaway coffee and stand outside a business premise but not sit? I am all for safest practice but a common sense approach is needed here. Where 2 meters distance is being adhered to then where is the problem?"
In a statement, Waterford Council said they "launched the COVID19 Recovery Plan with a range of measures including an Outdoor Furniture Grant which is open for applications since 10th June in order for businesses to be prepared for June 29th reopening as per the Government Roadmap whereby “cafes and restaurants providing on-premises food & beverages”
