People working in hospitality are being subjected to hypocrisy from the government ahead of plans to allow indoor dining, according to David Gardiner, Workers’ Party representative for Palmerstown-Fonthill.

Gardiner said:

“Young hospitality workers, who are largely unvaccinated, are going to be serving people inside pubs and restaurants, but won’t be able to go into the same pubs or restaurants as customers. Where’s the sense in that?”

“Is the government under the impression that the virus only spreads to people who are out on the town enjoying themselves? Hospitality workers have put themselves at considerable risk throughout this pandemic and continue to do so, but the government still seems to view them as unimportant.”

He continued:

“The government needs to accept that hospitality workers will play an essential role in the upcoming reopening of the economy. It’s an insult that they expect workers to risk their health with no protection or reward for doing so.”

“The Workers’ Party is calling for hospitality workers to be treated as essential given where we’re currently at in this pandemic, and to ensure that they are properly protected against COVID-19.”