Anger at new Covid restrictions: 'We’re being blamed unfairly by decision-makers'

Jacque Barry, co-owner of Jacques Restaurant on Oliver Plunkett St, Cork: 'Christmas used to be our big bonanza but that’s not going to be it now. Our lunch trade has been decimated because there’s no one in the offices.' Picture: Gavin Browne

The hospitality sector faced yet another blow as Government announced that nightclubs would close and public health restrictions would tighten in a bid to lower transmission of Covid-19 and control the Omicron variant.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin assured the hospitality sector the "Government would stand by" them and help them "weather this storm" by providing business supports for those impacted by any further restrictions.