‘We know what we have to do’
“Hope is not usually a strategy, but these days it seems like the best strategy we can have. I think this announcement has brought hope.”
Those were the words of General Manager of the Imperial Hotel, Bastian Peyraud, responding to the recent announcement that businesses within the hospitality industry will be permitted to re-open on 29 June under strict Covid-19 guidelines.
Earlier this week, Fáilte Ireland published sector specific operational guidelines for the tourism industry to ensure the safe re-opening of tourism businesses on 29 June.
The announcement means that businesses such as hotels, restaurants and bars that serve food will be permitted to re-open on that day. Guesthouses, self-catering businesses, B&Bs, caravan and camping businesses, visitor attractions and cafés will also be allowed to resume business.
“It's a positive thing. We know what we have to do. We must keep our distance without being far away. That is our motto,” Mr Peyraud told the Cork Independent.
Mr Peyraud said that he believes the public are already very used to social distancing and that they will adapt to the guidelines without difficulty.
“We've been preparing for this reopening ever since we closed. The guests have already been educated. We have all been educated through living our everyday lives during the lock down,” he said.
He added: “What everyone will need to understand for any business is, we might not be exactly perfect and it will take us a bit of time to get there, but I'm sure every guest will be very understanding and see that we are doing our best.”
The guidelines were developed by the National Tourism Development Authority in collaboration with industry groups; the Irish Hotels Federation (IHF), the Irish Self Catering Federation (ISCF), the Irish Caravan and Camping Council, the Association of Visitor Experiences (AVEA), Ireland’s Association of Adventure Tourism (IAAT) and B&B Ireland.
Relevant government departments including the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Department of Health were also consulted.
Tim Fenn, Chief Executive of the Irish Hotels Federation, said: “The health and safety of employees and guests will always be our main priority. Hotels have already begun to adapt their services and facilities in anticipation of reopening under COVID-19 guidelines and the publication of these standards gives them further clarity on what they must do.”
Although the announcement has been largely welcomed, Ibec, the group that represents Irish business, said that “further significant measures” will need to be taken over the coming months.
According to a report by the Licensed Vintners Association (LVA), capacities in pubs and restaurants will drop to as little as one eighth of pre-Covid-19 crisis levels under the guidelines.
Donall O’Keeffe, LVA Chief Executive, said: “After a prolonged period of uncertainty pubs who serve food are relieved to finally receive the green light. We were consistent in advocating for pubs to receive the same treatment as other hospitality businesses that serve food and drink, so we are pleased that the Government has taken this on board.”
Under the new guidelines, staff and customers are required to remain two metres apart whenever possible, however, the National Public Health Emergency Team has promised that a review of the two metre rule will take place in the near future, with a possibility of a one metre rule being implemented.
Separately Cork Chamber yesterday published results from a survey of Irish businesses. The survey had found that businesses that have opened are typically experiencing less than half of their usual levels of business activity for this time of year. Most businesses expect their earnings over the coming three months to be half the normal amount.