A group of bars and restaurants in Waterford city and county has decided to close the majority of their premises to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
The Causeway Group shut the doors of nine of their premises last night.
They include Factory nightclub, Sinnotts Late Bar, The Lounge, Masons, The Sands Hotel, Arlington Lodge, The Shanty, The Terrace Bar and The Vault.
Neill Kelly of the Causeway Group told the Waterford News & Star that the decision was made in the best interests of staff and customers.
He says the this action takes up to 5,000 spaces in the nightlife industry in Waterford to stop the spread.
It comes as #CloseThePubs was trending on Twitter last night.
Social media users are urging those considering going to a pub this weekend, on St Patrick's day or indeed any time in the near future to reconsider.
A video, which claims to show a packed pub in Temple Bar where a crowd of people were singing along to the song Sweet Caroline, was branded shameful, irresponsible and disrespectful to healthcare workers by other Twitter users.
