Pubs call for clarity around coronavirus safety measures

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar called for "social distancing" in pubs earlier on Thursday morning.

The Licensed Vintners Association (LVA) has called for clarity surrounding Leo Varadkar's statement on Thursday morning. Varadkar announced that schools, colleges and other public facilities will be closed, but that restaurants, cafes and pubs will be staying open, and that the public should avoid groups of 100 or more. The LVA has released a statement seeking clarity for pubs specifically asking:

• What is the official guidance for pubs who have a capacity exceeding 100 people?

• Given the social dimension of pubs, what is the official guidance for how social distancing should be implemented in a pub context?

LVA Chief Executive Donall O’Keeff said: "Following on from the Taoiseach’s statement, there is a lot of confusion amongst publicans across Dublin as to what action they now need to take. "For that reason we are calling on the Government and the Expert Advisory Group to provide specific guidance for how pubs should respond to the coronavirus situation. "By their very nature pubs are social hubs where people deliberately congregate close to one another. Implementing a one metre gap between tables for example might be one step that we could take, but that won’t stop people from grouping together or congregating in other parts of the pub, for example at the bar. "Our members are committed to playing their part in acting in the best interests of our staff and customers. Public health is our sole and over-riding priority.  But publicans are not experts in public health and there is a severe lack of clarity as to how we should now respond."