Publicans have warned the move to Level Three restrictions will see 50,000 jobs lost in the pub sector.
The chief executive of the Vintners Federation, Padraig Cribben said the move to Level Three was "another devastating development for the pub sector in a year where it has borne the brunt of lockdown restrictions and closures".
Many drink-only pubs in Waterford only reopened last Thursday, on October 1st, after closing on March 15th.
John de Bromhead, owner of Downses bar in Waterford city said he was devastated:
"We waited the extra week to open, we were told regional lockdowns were most likely and Waterford was in a good place so we opened. I bought my extra insurance for public liability, I bought in stock and now we're closed again and possibly we don't know when we'll be open now...(it's like) we just make up the rules as we go along, and I'm very very very upset."
Riona Shalloe, owner of Shalloe's bar in Ballymacmague outside Dungarvan, also only opened on Thursday. She is now unsure what will happen after the move to level 3. She's calling for clear guidelines to be issued as soon as possible:
"We've had a bit of a disappointment with level 3 but it could have been a lot worse we could have moved to level 5 and we'd be closed straight away so we'll just have to see, play it by ear again. Hopefully at level 3 we can sustain our numbers and keep going for a bit longer".
The VFI's Mr Cribbens said: “There now must be an immediate return to the original Pandemic Unemployment Payment for pub staff along with liquidity supports that will allow our members re-establish their businesses once restrictions are removed."
“While Government say these restrictions will remain in place for three weeks, we have learnt from bitter experience that reopening dates can move at the last minute. Our members face another prolonged bout of uncertainty at the worst possible time. Next week’s Budget is a crucial opportunity for Government to show its commitment to the pub sector by announcing a series of measures that will restore confidence to a battered trade.”
