Report on Impact of Occupancy Numbers on Licensed Premises as a Result of COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction: We have been engaged by the Licensed Vintners Association (LVA) & Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI) to assess the potential reduction of occupancy numbers in Licensed Premises as a result of physical distancing rules from the Health Service Executive (HSE) and World Health Organisation (WHO). We have looked at a number of occupancy scenarios in a Pub & Restaurant and have assessed an arbitrary 100m2 area where there could be standing and seating. We have calculated the maximum permitted occupancy under the Fire Safety Building Regulations (Table 1.1 of Technical Guidance Document B). We have applied a 2m wide physical distancing requirement as specified by the HSE and a 1m wide physical distancing requirement specified by the WHO. We have also assumed, for the analysis on the HSE seating scenario, that any 2 persons sharing a table are from the same family and are in self isolation together. We have also carried out a desktop study on the impact of the Covid-19 on the occupancy of a typical Bar & Restaurant (140m2 Public Area) where we have quantified the occupancy before and after applying HSE and WHO physical distancing requirements.