A number of popular Dublin pubs will temporarily shut their doors as it's 'impossible to ensure' the recommended level of social distancing during the coronavirus outbreak.
Last orders in Grogans on South William Street will be at 12:30am on Saturday night / Sunday morning, with the owners saying they just can't keep people apart in the small space available.
They say they are confident with supports in place from the Government that staff will be looked after until the pub reopens at the end of the month.
Stay safe everyone❤️ pic.twitter.com/v0y8W6Rmg4
— Grogans Castle Lounge (@GrogansPub) March 14, 2020
Manager of Grogans Donal Smith says it was decision they had to make.
He explained: "We just don't think we can adhere to what [health officials] and the Government have decided with regards spacing of customers six feet away from each other.
"It's not possible in a small environment, plus you have to look at the bigger picture."
The Anseo bar on Camden Street will also close for now.
In a Facebook post, management said: "We have decided to close until the 29th of March and will review things then.
"This is not a hasty or panicked decision though it is a very difficult one - Anseo is a small family business and is our and our staff's livelihood."
Management said it would be "too difficult to maintain the current recommended degree of social spacing" in the space available.
The situation will be reviewed on March 29th.
Social distancing
While the Government has said mass indoor gatherings of over 100 people should be cancelled for now, pubs, restaurants and other businesses have not been asked to close.
A number of other popular venues - such as nightclub Copper Face Jacks in Dublin - have opted to close until the end of the month.
People are being advised to keep two metres (6.5 feet) between themselves and other people.
In a statement today, the Department of Health said: "The Department would reiterate that the recommendations on mass gatherings need to be considered very carefully by individual businesses and employers to ensure that the critically important public health message of social distancing is not undermined as respiratory illnesses like COVID-19 can spread quickly in crowded spaces.
"Individual employers also need to be cognisant of their obligations under health and safety legislation."
Meanwhile, a number of business owners have called on the Government to 'hit the pause button' in order to protect businesses while measures to limit the spread of the coronavirus are in place.
Many retailers and restaurant owners say they've seen a major decline in sales over the past few days following the fears of the COVID-19.
Footfall has been affected as more people across the country work from home, while many businesses have also had to implement 'social distancing' measures in light of official health advice.
