Publicans say suggestion to reopen indoor dining for vaccinated people only is “ridiculous”

They said the system is "completely bizarre" and would "create a two-tier society."

The Licensed Vintners Association (LVA) has said they will reject any move to separate out the vaccinated from the non-vaccinated, describing the suggestion as ridiculous and unworkable.

The LVA said that the system would put pubs and unvaccinated staff "in an impossible position". The LVA are also proposing that the reopening of indoor hospitality be delayed until 19 July to allow for those in the 60-69 year demographic to receive additional vaccines.

“This latest suggestion from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) that pubs and restaurants should police who is and isn’t vaccinated is utterly ridiculous and unworkable,” said Donall O’Keeffe, Chief Executive of the LVA.

“NPHET has lost the run of themselves and possibly the entire country this time.

"It is completely bizarre that they would introduce such a system this late and basically try to panic the entire country into accepting a process that would create a two-tier society."

He continued: "Does anyone in NPHET actually take into consideration the real world implications of these outlandish ideas at all? We can’t take them seriously after this."

O'Keeffee is calling on the Government to "take charge now and commit to reopening on 19 July".

“From the outset of this pandemic pubs and hospitality have made massive sacrifices for the good of public health. We are calling on Government to allow reopening indoors on 19 July, which is a further two week delay meaning some pubs will have been closed for 489 consecutive days at that stage," he added.

"This will allow for those aged 60-69 to receive further vaccines and will be in line with the date of resumption of international travel. Pubs would then reopen with the current social distancing requirements and licensing hours that currently govern outdoor service.

“We can see that hotels across the country are operating at full capacity for indoor service since 2 June, that indoor service is permitted across the border and in every other EU state.

“It is insane to contemplate that international travel would be permitted and yet indoor hospitality would not be allowed for all customers."