HU CEO REACTION TO CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER COMMENTS

10 February 2021

Reacting to comments made by the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael McBride, stating that restrictions are unlikely to be fully lifted until 2022, Colin Neill, Chief Executive of Hospitality Ulster said:

“It is disappointing that the Chief Medical Officer has made these comments without clarification on what level of restrictions might be needed and without discussion about additional control measures or continued financial support for those impacted."

"We need to focus on pushing the vaccine and do all we can to encourage uptake, whilst looking towards economic recovery."

"We appreciate the CMO will always err on the side of caution, but general comments about ongoing restrictions have further knocked the confidence of both business owners and consumers and brought about further worry and concern.”

“As businesses are considering how best to rebuild after lockdown three, it is important that we work together and not cause further unnecessary stress to sectors, like hospitality, which have been closed for the best part of a year."

"We know Covid-19 will be with us for a long time, but the encouraging vaccine numbers is providing hope of recovery."

"We encourage the Chief Medical Officer to work with us to ensure a safe and sustainable reopening of our hospitality industry in the coming weeks and months.”