“The reality is that alcohol use is associated with activity that is risky in terms of transmission.”
NPHET does not have an “anti-alcohol stance”, according to Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Tony Holohan.
The CMO was quizzed during Thursday’s Department of Health briefing regarding the government postponing the return of indoor dining, following NPHET recommendations.
Asked if the dangers of alcohol consumption were considered as part of NPHET’s recommendations to delay indoor dining, the CMO responded: “In the context of the NPHET discussion, it was a focus on the measures to protect in terms of Corona. We didn’t discuss alcohol.”
Holohan was then asked if he thought it was fair that some hospitality workers have suggested NPHET has an “anti-alcohol stance” and that it’s been a factor in its recommendations.
He answered: “No, I don’t. Look, we stick to the evidence in relation to Corona… When we make a recommendation around restriction of a given activity, it’s not a value judgement on that activity.
“It’s simply a measure of how likely that form of activity is to contribute to transmission.
“The reality is that the use of alcohol, particularly in indoors, is associated with coming close together – close personal contact.
“Even when people go into those environments motivated to do the right thing, a pint or two later none of us is as good as we are in terms of doing what we should be doing.”
Holohan said NPHET “just recognise the reality in that.”
“There’s no value judgement. Whether we’re talking about communions or confirmations or pubs or particular workplaces or any other activity, it’s simply a measure of how likely it is that people are to come together and stay close together in sufficient close contact to facilitate this virus transmitting,” the CMO added.
“The reality is that alcohol use is associated with activity that is risky in terms of transmission.”
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