Call for ‘continuous review’ of case for virus restrictions

Call for ‘continuous review’ of case for virus restrictions

The criteria used to decide on all virus-related regulations that apply to hospitality venues here – including this week’s 11pm curfew on licensed premises – need to be scrutinised by the NI Executive as part of a process leading to their safe removal.

That’s the view of trade body, Hospitality Ulster. Speaking yesterday (Tuesday), its chief executive, Colin Neill, called for the industry to be given ‘a fighting chance’, warning that venues were set to lose hours and staff as a result of the ongoing restrictions.

Mr Neill welcomed the fact that the curfew had been set at 11pm, rather than 10pm as had been widely feared by those in the trade. And he acknowledged the overwhelming importance of public health, but he also called for the curfew to be kept under ‘continuous review’ by the Executive.

‘The Executive and our industry need to discuss the criteria used to introduce the measures and immediately begin the process of identifying the criteria to safely remove the restrictions,’ he warned.

While there is a general sense of relief across the trade following the announcement of a later-than-expected closing time for premises, there has been criticism of the Executive’s approach. Live music is still banned and speaking to a local newspaper this week, Alan Simms, a director at Belfast’s popular Limelight music venue, called for sight of any evidence that the Executive had in support of a curfew on licensed premises.

Insisting that live music events could be delivered within the guidelines, Mr Simms added called on the Executive to engage with the sector, and warned:

‘This will have a permanent impact on our rich music and arts landscape and will have a devastating effect on the many artists and industry professionals the sector currently employs.’

And speaking yesterday, Sacha Lord, Manchester’s night-time economy advisor, warned that if the current restrictions on live music venues were not reviewed, ‘the vast majority’ of nightclubs in the city would close.

“Nightclubs have been closed since March, they’re facing another six months now – how can they possibly survive?’ asked Lord.