By Q Radio News
The Executive has been urged to start planning with the hospitality industry now to plan for its reopening.
The sector has been closed, except for some takeaway services, since the 24th of December.
Ministers are expected to review current lockdown measures this Thursday - however, the reopening of hospitality isn't expected before spring.
Colin Neill, chief executive of Hospitality Ulster, says planning should start now to avoid future lockdowns.
He said: “The hospitality sector has been the worst hit and suffered almost an entire year of being closed or heavily restricted. We are now in a frightening situation.
“Bounce back loans have been burnt up and cash reserves have been depleted and desperation is really beginning to set in.
“Both the industry and government now need to learn lessons from past restrictions, what worked, and what didn’t.
“Let’s be proactive, let’s get a plan in place well in advance and fight back and accelerate the recovery.”
(Colin Neill, Chief Executive of Hospitality Ulster)
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