Impose tougher sanctions on hospitality businesses flouting Covid-19 rules, say industry groups

Sources have said there was a considerable focus on the 18-24 age groups with concern expressed as to the widespread use of false Covid-19 certs.

Stronger sanctions including penalties, fines and closures for hospitality businesses flouting the Covid-19 regulations should be introduced, industry lobby groups have said.

Speaking after a meeting with government officials in Dublin on Tuesday, the Restaurant lobby group said those businesses not complying should face sanctions. 

Sources have said there was a considerable focus on the 18-24 age groups with concern expressed as to the widespread use of false Covid-19 certs.

Today's meeting was sought by the Taoiseach Micheál Martin, as new research showed falling compliance rates with rules to stop the spread of the virus.

In a statement, the Restaurants Association of Ireland said it had a productive, full and frank meeting with Deputy CMO, Dr Ronan Glynn, Government Officials from Department of Taoiseach, Health, Tourism and Enterprise plus HSE & HSA.

"Government officials engaged with Hospitality representatives in a proactive and informative manner in terms of presentation of public health communication plans, Covid health data and hospital capacity as we head into the winter period," the statement said.

Government sources have made clear that the option of temporary closure orders is available under legislation.

Sources said that the meeting was "a lot more collaborative" than had been expected.

There was no "rap on the knuckles" in the 90-minute meeting as the Government said that the industry has been "highly responsible" overall. 

The industry was told that while cases are rising in the 18 to 24 age range, an information campaign will be carried out in the coming weeks aimed at increasing vaccine uptake and reinforcing basic public health measures.

In a statement, the Government said that the meeting "provided an opportunity to present the latest Covid data, discuss compliance experience and data, outline what the public are telling Government and to share communications plans".

The industry told officials that they feel that it is the responsibility of the State to enforce rules and that individual businesses could not police others.

The industry told officials that they feel that it is the responsibility of the State to enforce rules and that individual businesses could not police others.

"Sectoral representatives reiterated their commitment to supporting the public health measures. Constructive engagement took place on the range of issues and how these sectors and Government can work collectively (i) to improve awareness of the risks and how to manage them (ii) to support the public to follow public health advice and (iii) ensure greater compliance with regulations and guidance.

"Sectoral representatives and officials will continue to work together on the common goal of maximising the impact of mitigations – whether at an individual or a business level - on the transmission of COVID-19 and ensuring the safe operation of these sectors. "

Earlier, the chief executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI), Adrian Cummins said he would be calling on officials to seek out and shut down premises that are not complying with Covid-19 public health measures.

“We want to know who they are, where they are and when they will be shut down,” he said.

Mr Cummins said that his association had been calling for the public measures to be strictly enforced and if there were businesses that flouted the measures then they should be shut down.

“Inspectors must go in and shut them down,” Mr Cummins told RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland.
 “They are putting other businesses at risk.” 

Mr Cummins said recent Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) figures had indicated there was 70% compliance among hospitality businesses, seven percent that were non-compliant, and 23% who had to introduce additional measures. 

He accepted those figures and called for further investigation of the noncompliant seven percent to ensure they become compliant.

“This is a critical time for the nation,” he said, and added that all premises needed to check Covid certs and follow guidelines “until we get through this time.” 

The 23% needed to “come up” to the same level as the 70%, Mr Cummins said.

The RAI had issued many communications with its members, he said “to make sure we do this right and proper.” 

The public had already stepped up to the plate with the high levels of vaccination, but the association wanted to know at what stage would there be full protection. 

If 100% of the population is fully vaccinated, do you now have full protection? We would like that question answered. 

Throughout the pandemic, the hospitality sector frequently waited long periods of time for answers from Government and public health officials, and today Mr Cummins said he would be seeking answers from the inspection authority.

“We need to know where that 7% are, who they are and to make sure they are shut down.”