VFI: 'Ban the sale of alcohol to curb house parties'

A ban on the sale of alcohol is being called for by the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) in order to curb a spike in Covid cases.

Speaking to The Echo, Cork City VFI Chairperson Michael O’Donovan said it is the only way to get serious about curtailing the R rate of the infectious disease.

Mr O’Donovan said that if the Government are to get serious about controlling the number of house parties occurring, this measure needs to be taken.

The publican, who owns The Castle Inn bar on South Main Street, said the non-food serving pubs will have been closed for 22 weeks by August 10 and the industry was fighting for jobs and for their livelihoods.

“The R rate is spreading among 18- 25-year-olds. Most 18-25-year-olds don’t come to the pubs anyway, they drink at home, but a spike means the pubs will be kept shut even longer.” 

Mr O’Donovan said the industry had been severely affected by the closure and had missed peak trading months within May, June and July.

The VFI Cork City chairperson also said the Government were slow to stop the sale of alcohol as they were still collecting the VAT on these purchases.

“They are asking people to close their doors but they are happy to collect the money from alcohol sales. We need to look at this.” Mr O’Donovan said he hoped the VFI proposal would gather some support in order to be discussed as a real option.