Last orders... Ireland closes all pubs on eve of St Patrick's Day

By Conor Humphries

 

A man wearing a protective face mask passes The Norseman pub, as bars across Ireland close voluntarily to curb the spread of coronavirus, in Dublin, Ireland, March 15, 2020. REUTERS/Lorraine O'Sullivan

 

DUBLIN (Reuters) - Ireland on Sunday said all bars in the country should close until at least the end of the month to curb the spread of coronavirus after videos of groups singing in packed Dublin venues sparked anger on social media.

 

The government's move comes just two days before Ireland's national day, St Patrick's Day, which traditionally sees bars across the country packed from early in the day. The annual parade celebrating the day had already been cancelled.

 

Ireland, known around the world for its traditional pubs, on Sunday said the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases had increased to 169 from 129. It closed schools and universities last week and advised people to cancel all indoor gatherings of 100 people or more.

 

But it stopped short of closing cafes, bars and restaurants, as some European countries have done, citing the potential impact on workers and small businesses and saying owners should ensure customers are kept at a safe distance from each other.

 

But showing packed bars with sing-alongs and crowded streets in Temple Bar, Dublin's busiest nightlife district, went viral on social media on Saturday under the #CloseThePubs hashtag.

 

One stag party, usually involving a group of men celebrating shortly before one their number gets married, was shown walking down the street in medical overalls and face masks.

 

Ireland's Health Minister Simon Harris, described the images of packed pubs as an insult to medical workers.

 

A number of pubs had announced voluntary closures, but on Sunday afternoon the government moved after a meeting with pub owners, and called on "all public houses and bars (including hotel bars) to close from this evening until at least March 29."

 

Publicans reported "real difficulty in implementing ... guidelines on social distancing ... as pubs are specifically designed to promote social interaction in a situation where alcohol reduces personal inhibitions," the statement said.

 

Publican group the Licensed Vintners Association said 7,000 pubs would close, with 50,000 jobs affected.

 

The government called on people not to organise private parties for the same reason.

 

Twitter users praised the pubs that had closed voluntarily, with the DublinByPub.ie bar guide offering a list of responsible pubs "to go on the lash in when this is all over."

 

(Reporting by Conor Humphries; Editing by Edmund Blair and Alexander Smith)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-03-16

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1 hour ago, webfact said:

Last orders... Ireland closes all pubs on eve of St Patrick's Day

Headling is fake news. 

 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

it stopped short of closing cafes, bars and restaurants,

Keep up the the fight Ireland.

You can always get a lock-in, in a proper Irish bar ????

 

 

Edited March 16, 20206 yr by cornishcarlos

1 hour ago, cornishcarlos said:

You can always get a lock-in, in a proper Irish bar ????

 

 

My thoughts too. Loads of lock- ins  

2 hours ago, khwaibah said:

Headling is fake news. 

 

Keep up the the fight Ireland.

Slainte 

Pubs & restaurants are voluntarily closing all around my home town & beyond.

 

Other public houses will follow, I am sure of it. We love the craic and the banter, but when it comes to rallying round and helping each other out, we are the best. ????

The article is only confusing because of the structure. The 'Heading' is not fake.

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Ireland, .... It closed schools and universities last week and advised people to cancel all indoor gatherings of 100 people or more.

 

But it stopped short of closing cafes, bars and restaurants, as some European countries have done, citing the potential impact on workers and small businesses and saying owners should ensure customers are kept at a safe distance from each other.

It should been only one paragraph (IMO), like this:

Ireland,....  It closed schools and universities last week and advised people to cancel all indoor gatherings of 100 people or more. But, it stopped short of closing cafes, bars and restaurants, as some European countries have done, citing the potential impact on workers and small businesses and saying owners should ensure customers are kept at a safe distance from each other.

Put an emphasis on the last week.  Then read down to the 

6 hours ago, webfact said:

A number of pubs had announced voluntary closures, but on Sunday afternoon the government moved after a meeting with pub owners, and called on "all public houses and bars (including hotel bars) to close from this evening until at least March 29."

Now put your emphasis on "but on Sunday afternoon the government moved.... to close from this evening until at least March 29".

Man pictured walking past Pub with face mask.I was in Dublin City center today and i only saw 3 or 4 people wearing masks .Yes all the Pubs are closed.

 

Pubs will need to adapt.