‘Scapegoated’ hospitality sector up in arms over shutdown threat

Tourism representatives who met with Tánaiste Leo Varadkar this week, say they were given no indication that there would be another lockdown before the new year.

Publicans, restaurant owners, and hoteliers have reacted angrily to the Government's announcement. Picture: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie

Restaurants, pubs, and hotels have reacted angrily to the likelihood of an earlier-than-expected fresh shutdown of business before the end of the year.

The news that hospitality businesses will now probably be forced to close their doors between Christmas and New Year's Eve — earlier than the January shutdown that many had been expecting — has come “out of the blue” and sent “shockwaves” through the industry, according to the Restaurants Association of Ireland.