Derry Daily
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
Friday 14°CSaturday 15°C

Derry Daily Derry Daily Derry Daily

  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
BusinessCoronavirusDerry CityHealthNews

Covid: Hospitality return ‘act of vandalism’, says doctor

written by cassoscoop November 3, 2020
ShareTweet

THE re-opening of the North’s hospitality industry next week would be “an act of careless vandalism”, according to a Derry GP.

Dr Tom Black said the return of the sector “at this stage” of the Coronavirus pandemic “would be appalling”.

On Monday, First Minister Arlene Foster confirmed the current restrictions will end on November 13.

The measures were to last four weeks.

Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill said they would be “reviewed” at the end of the period.

The hospitality sector in Derry was shut earlier on October 5 after a spike in Coroanvirus infections in the community.

Dr Black, the chair of the British Medical Association (BMA) here, said opening pubs and restaurants would send the message to the public that the pandemic in the North of Ireland is “not so bad”.

“We are in the worst pandemic we’ll ever see, in a second wave that is much worse than the first wave, with wards full, intensive care full and huge numbers of outbreaks in care homes,” he told BBC Radio Ulster’s Good Morning Ulster programme.

“It would inevitably result in our health service being overwhelmed.

“It would inevitably result in increased pain, suffering and death for our community.

“Can I emphasise this any more strongly?

“We can’t have hospitality opening during a huge second wave in a pandemic, end of discussion.

Derry GP Dr Tom Black

“We need leadership from our executive, we’ve had dithering.

“We need clear decisions, we need firm action,” Dr Black continued.

“They had a very good first wave, they’re having a very bad second wave.”

Roger Pollen from the Federation of Small Businesses said the “broad-brush term of saying we must close hospitality, end of discussion, is not wise”.

Businesses and medical professionals are not “on different sides”, he added.

“We have to look at how we continue to keep the economy operating safely to achieve the objective that Tom is after and we are after.

“Unless there’s a vaccine on the horizon we need to find ways of managing this situation better.”

Hospitality Ulster, which represent thousands of people who work in bars, restaurants, cafes and hotels in the North of Ireland, has repeatedly called for better enforcement of Covid restrictions in order to help compliant businesses stay open during the pandemic.

“We have no objection about being inspected and having a set of standards,” said its chief executive Colin Neill.

“We do not want hiding places for anyone in the industry who are not looking after the welfare of their staff and customers.”

Mr Neill said Hospitality Ulster has suggested the creation of a “Covid-secure hospitality standard”, similar to the Scores on the Doors system for food hygiene inspections.

“We as an industry have led from the front, saying ‘Give us legally enforceable standards’, Mr Neill told the BBC’s Nolan Show.

“It really makes sense – rather than spending millions of pounds trying to subsidise businesses or lockdown, re-divert some of that cash to our local authorities where they can go out and ensure compliance.

“We already do it for food hygiene – this is serious as food hygiene.”

Covid: Hospitality return ‘act of vandalism’, says doctor was last modified: November 4th, 2020 by cassoscoop

Tags:
barsBritish Medical Association NIcafeschairColin Neill CEOCovid: Hospitality return 'act of vandalism'Derry GPDr Tom BlackFIRST MINISTER ARLENE FOSTERHospitality Ulsterhotelspubsrestaurantssays doctorSTORMONT EXECUTIVE
ShareTweet
cassoscoop

LEAVE A COMMENT

You may also like

Sadness as mother of girl (6) killed...

9 hours ago

‘Inaction on Foyle Bridge barriers and mental...

12 hours ago

Two charged over huge cannabis haul seized...

18 hours ago

Sadness as child dies and three others...

18 hours ago

PSNI discover huge cannabis factory near border

20 hours ago

Major investment in Capital Projects approved by...

1 day ago

Mayor looking forward to All Ireland Pipe-Band...

1 day ago

Mayor hosts Guardian of the Sperrins event

2 days ago

Durkan calls for urgent traffic calming measures...

2 days ago

Harkin: Stormont Executive must act now to...

2 days ago

Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Email

Features

  • Sun, sea, spectacular views, historical charm and fabulous food. Tunisia of course

    April 5, 2024
  • Magical trip to see Santa from Belfast

    December 20, 2023
  • DD Travel Feature: Cork’s amazing The Montenotte Hotel

    April 18, 2023
  • Derry cancer survivor Noeleen McMorris reveals importance of awareness

    July 25, 2022
  • Competition! Win tickets to Northern Ireland v England Women’s Euro 2022 match

    June 17, 2022

Courts

  • Two men in court after £1.2m cannabis find near border

    July 3, 2025
  • Two charged over huge cannabis haul seized in North West

    July 3, 2025
  • Two men to face Derry court over driving and drug offences

    July 2, 2025
  • Former Derry coach Rory Gallagher launches High Court action against GAA

    July 1, 2025
  • Derry man jailed over house burglary offences

    June 26, 2025

Donegal Daily

    Read More

    • News
    • Sport
    • Courts
    • Jobs
    • Features
    • Business
    • Politics

    Information

    • Contact Us
    • About
    • Advertise WIth Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions
    Derry Daily

    © 2025 Derry Daily. All rights reserved.


    Back To Top

    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkPrivacy policy