Covid restrictions over Easter will have “damaging” impact warns B & B owner
Last updated 2nd Apr 2021
Bed and Breakfast owners in the North Coast are disappointed they have not been allowed to open over Easter.
The bank holiday weekend normally kick starts the tourism industries summer season, with thousands of people coming from all across the country to enjoy a holiday by the beach.
The Executive agreed to lift some lockdown restrictions on Thursday 1, however this did not include any easements for the hospitality sector.
Owner of All Seasons B &B in Portrush, Tracey Lafferty, said she is “very disappointed” the Government didn’t allow businesses like hers to open.
She said: “I’ll be honest with you I was depending on this year sort of pulling me out, because last year was not very good for us.
“I was hoping we would be back for Easter trading, just say around April, May, June, July, August which would have taken me through until we trade next year because through the winter and that it is quiet enough because it’s really a seaside town.
“Hopefully we’ll hear very soon when we can actually open.
“I’m literally between a rock and a hard place, because I need the income from this summer to tide me over until I start to trade again next year, because I still have bills to pay and heating to maintain and my business loan to pay.
“So, if I don’t trade this summer it’s going to be financially very difficult.”
The owner of North Coast Motel in Portrush, Wilson Torrens, said he is in a similar situation.
He thinks businesses like his should have been allowed to open and has called for the Executive to give premises a reopening.
He said: “Obviously it’s very sensitive, we’re at a stage now in the pandemic where we’re hopefully seeing a bit of a light at the end of the tunnel.
“My understanding is that the 50% of the adult population have now received the first vaccine so that’s a good sign.
“My personal opinion is we’re at a stage where we probably should be allowed to open.
“Easter is obviously the time when in the north coast that’s the start of a really big busy season leading right through then until September.
“So, missing out on Easter is a huge loss for every break and breakfast, every hotel in the North Coast so it will have a damaging effect not being able to open for easter.
“At this moment in time we still have no confirmation of when we can open.”
Meanwhile, Health Minister, Robin Swann, has urged everyone across Northern Ireland to keep themselves safe from Covid-19 over the Easter period.
He said: “Once again, we are facing a holiday weekend with restrictions on our lives.
“I totally understand the widespread frustration and indeed share it.
“But I would appeal to people not to let their frustrations affect their judgement. These restrictions are in place to protect us from a vicious virus that has brought great tragedy to so many families.
“When we are following them, we are helping keep ourselves and others safe – and helping our community get to a better place.
“We are continuing to make good progress.
“The statistics on Covid-19 have been moving steadily in the right direction and more than three quarters of a million people in Northern Ireland have received their first vaccine dose.
“We are on a pathway towards gradually easing restrictions. The return of schools and expansion of outdoor activities are the first careful steps on this route map.
“Some regulations have been eased this week, and more welcome decisions will steadily follow if we can keep Covid-19 infections down.
“But it’s still important to follow the basics.
“That includes maintaining social distancing, wearing a face covering and washing hands frequently and well. Stay at home as much as possible and stay local when you are enjoying the great outdoors.
“Avoid crowded places, especially where it would be hard to keep your distance from others.
“Make fresh air your friend this Easter weekend – outdoors is much safer than indoors. Please please don’t mix indoors with people from other households.
“I want to thank everyone once again for all they have done over the past year to help repel Covid. We still need to keep our guard up for this next period, as we look forward to summer.”
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