THE hospitality industry has described the Executive's decision to `pause' the reopening of pubs that only serve alcohol as "devastating".
Plans to allow so-called indoor "wet pubs" to open on Monday were postponed until the beginning of September at the earliest following a ministerial meeting yesterday.
The Executive had indicated in July pubs and bars which do not serve food would reopen on August 10, matching the planned reopening date of similar venues in the Republic.
However, the Irish government's decision to slow its reopening "roadmap" due to concerns over its rising R-rate number means this will not now happen in the south until August 31 at the earliest.
The move is in line with the advice of the north's Chief Medical Advisor, Dr Michael McBride who said wet pubs should not reopen on the proposed date.
However, pub owners have warned delays in reopening non-food serving bars may mean many pubs will never open again and "thousands" of jobs could be lost.
Colin Neill, Chief Executive of Hospitality Ulster, insisted it is the "safety measures agreed by government and implemented by our members (that) will help to reduce the spread of the virus, not the pie and chips you are currently required to have with your pint".
"Non-food pubs can operate under the same safety measures as food-led premises.
"If the Executive are concerned about compliance, they should, as we have repeatedly suggested, take the powers to close anyone that blatantly ignores the guidance - not keep everyone closed, just in case. Some people speed, but we don't stop everyone else from driving."
He said the industry has "extensive guidance in place and being implemented, creating the safest possible environments and we have offered to do more".
Mr Neill without "immediate and swift response" from the Executive "thousands of people who work in, or own, traditional pubs will struggle to pay their mortgages and support their families as they are forced to be let go".
"We are talking thousands of job losses".
Ruth Sloan, chairwoman of consumer group CAMRA which supports the pub trade, said the "delay is a devastating blow for the industry" and "could result in permanent closures and further job losses - especially where pubs have invested their dwindling reserves in order to prepare to reopen safely".
"It is essential that the Executive and the UK Government now work together to provide a new support package for pubs to help them survive, which includes extending the furlough scheme to protect businesses and jobs."
Former Belfast publican and SDLP MLA Pat Catney said while more Executive support for affected pubs is needed, delay was "the right call".
"There are plenty of responsible publicans who were preparing to open their doors next week with new measures in place to protect the public," Mr Catney said.
"They have invested time, energy and significant resources in these preparations, not least of all in new stock, protocols and staff training.
"The decision to delay openings will be disappointing but everything we do must be based on keeping people safe from this virus in line with the public health advice."
