LISTEN: Hoteliers placed in 'perilous position' by new Coronavirus restrictions

By Q Radio News

Hoteliers across Northern Ireland says they've been placed in a perilous position by the latest Covid-19 restrictions.

They say there's confusion as to whether or not they have to close down from 6pm tomorrow evening or not.

Janice Gault, from the Northern Ireland Hotels Federation says the restrictions have brought the very viability of hotel trading into question.

“The news that the hospitality sector in Northern Ireland will have to close from 6pm this Friday places the sector in a perilous position. 

"Having traded responsibly throughout the summer, hotels hoped that they would have had the opportunity to continue trading in a similar manner for the foreseeable future.

"The additional restrictions which have come into force in recent times have brought the viability of hotel trading into question.  

MEMBER UPDATE
Regrettably we have NO further update on the position of the hotel sector. We have asked a range of questions and will come back to members as soon as we have any further details! pic.twitter.com/QsJyce1s6F

— NIHF (@NIHF) October 14, 2020

"Forecasts from the NIHF have indicated that hotels will already sell 1M less bedrooms than they sold in 2019 and the measures announced today will result in the decimation of one of Northern Ireland’s most buoyant sectors which has invested £650M over the last five years. It goes without saying that our primary concerns are the health and well-being of hotel guests and staff.

"The situation is a precarious one with livelihoods under threat and tourism infrastructure being irreparably damaged. 

"It is essential that hotels have access to support so that we have an industry to return to, clear guidance of what is expected from them in terms of closure and a pathway back to recovery”.