Pub opening in Limerick
A pub owner in Co Limerick says he is opening on Monday morning despite government advice not to do so.
Gearoid Whelan, will be opening Whelan's bar in Newcastle West.
He says that if the airports are allowed open than he has every right to do the same.
We will b open at 11am monday morning👍🏼. Thanks for all the support. If a texan can come into Ireland and go where he likes our door is open to our customers who we have served for almost 70 years👍🏼. Family run and 100% safe environment. Looking forward to seeing our friends🍺👍🏼
— Gearoid Whelan (@whelansbar1) July 16, 2020
It was announced on Wednesday that pubs which just sell alcohol will not be able to open until the 10th of August.
Gearoid says he has spent thousands of euro installing social distancing measures in the bar:
"I'm opening Monday morning at 11am, my attitude is if the airports are open why should we have to suffer."
"I'd stay closed till Christmas if the airports were closed or if there was mandatory testing but there isn't so I think why should we be made pay the price for everything."
Phase four has been pushed back from July 20th to August 10th as the number of cases rise.
The Licensed Vintners Association (LVA) has described the decision to postpone the re-opening of pubs as a 'hammer blow' for these businesses.
It says this means their members will go 40% of the year without trading.
