HOSPITALITY Ulster has urged licensed premises to stop selling alcohol after 11 pm and suspend live music in a bid to limit the spread of COVID-19.
It has called on the hospitality industry to “treat all government guidance as instructions” and says “any irresponsible behaviour could drive a further increase in the virus and result in the entire sector being closed again”.
Health chiefs have warned of a potential second lockdown over the rise in positive cases from Coronavirus in the North of Ireland in recent weeks.
The current infection rate is currently 24 per 100,000 population.
The Stormont Executive is to meet on Thursday to hear the conerns of Health Minister Robin Swaan, the Chief Medical Offier Dr Michael McBride and the Chief Scientific Advisor Prof Ian Young over the rise in positive cases.
Colin Neill, chief executive of Hospitality Ulster said this afternoon: “As an industry we must do all we can to reduce the spread of the virus and limit irresponsible behaviour.
“The vast majority of our industry have and continue to act responsibly.
“But we need urgent action by the NI Executive to reinforce our calls with legal measures.
“Rogue businesses will just ignore these calls and undermine the actions of the responsible majority.
“The NI Executive must suspend all late liquor licences; suspend provision of music under entertainment licences; and introduce the power of closure for premises that blatantly ignore government guidance.”
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