The Restaurants Association of Ireland has said it is devastated and "hugely disappointed" about expected Covid-19 restrictions being reimposed on the sector before the New Year.
Its president Mark McGowan said clarity is needed as supplies have been ordered by many restaurants. Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr McGowan said it is "a slap in the face" to the sector, which he said is well-versed to tackle the disease and has put additional practices in place to ensure a controlled environment is in place by highly-controlled staff.
The future is in doubt for many in the sector, he said, and expressed concern about the long-term damage to the industry and the impact on the skillset of employees.