Covid-19 now represents a threat to our social cohesion

The fact that the decision to delay further the reopening of pubs was expected does not make it any more palatable for publicans

Anecdotal evidence reveals that it is mostly young people who are flaunting in the most serious way current Covid-19 restrictions so the fear is that further re-opening of the economy and society would be taken by them as a signal to relax their guard altogether. Picture: iStock

THE fact that the decision to delay further the reopening of pubs was expected does not make it any more palatable for the thousands of family businesses that may face financial ruin as a result. The incoming president of the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland has described the decision not to reopen all pubs next Monday as a “kick in the teeth”. Paul Moynihan said publicans had done all that was asked of them to reopen in a safe and sanitised way and said it was “very late in the day” to tell them they could not reopen on August 10 as expected.

He is right, but the overriding consideration must remain using all means possible to fight the coronavirus. The priorities for the Government remain public health in general, the normalisation of the health service and the reopening of schools and it is those concerns that are driving this harsh but necessary decision.