Axing of remaining Covid restrictions hailed
Hospitality and business leaders have welcomed the move to end Covid-19 legal restrictions in Northern Ireland.
The decision was made on February 14 by Health Minister Robin Swann after he received the backing of his former ministerial colleagues following the collapse of the executive.
Hospitality Ulster’s Colin Neill, below, said: “This is a welcome announcement. After nearly two long years, the hospitality industry will be relieved that they can begin to trade without pandemic restrictions limiting the viability of their businesses.
“We must have full focus on rebuilding consumer confidence and supporting the hospitality industry as a key driver for the wider economy.”
“The lifting of the remaining restrictions, including mandatory passes at nightclubs and recording customer details, will hopefully signal a major turning point for the industry and see the return of the thriving industry we once had which contributed over £2bn annually to the local economy.
“Now, attention must turn to the plan of action on how to best rebuild and revitalise the industry to ensure that it returns to its former position as a significant employer and economic generator. Through a dedicated hospitality strategy, innovative plans and actions can be implemented which will help hospitality regrow, and help create further jobs and opportunities for the sector as we emerge from the pandemic.”
While the likes of Retail NI and Belfast Chamber also welcomed the lifting of restrictions, they expressed disappointment that the Health Minister offered no new information on the guidance to work from home where possible.
The advice to work from home is guidance, but Robin Swann only lifted legal requirements on Monday.
Glyn Roberts, below, chief executive at Retail NI, said the failure to outline “a clear commitment to return to the workplace” meant further lack of clarity for businesses going forward.
He told the Belfast Telegraph: “Obviously we can only go by what was in the statement from the minister and we were very clear that this is an important last bit of the jigsaw.
“If we’re serious about reopening our economy, we need to have this guidance. I think it’s more than just lifting the guidance. It’s actually having a clear plan to allow our significant public and private sector employers to return their staff.
“Some of the large private sector employers we have been talking to, who have staff that provide significant footfall for our members, are still a bit nervous about moving forward.
“We need clear guidance from the minister which allows them to do that and as we speak, that is not in the statement.”
Several hospitality businesses have been hit hard by the relative lack of office workers in city centres, with many reducing staff numbers and opening hours in a bid to survive.
