Mr. Paul Treyvaud:

I thank the Deputy for his question as well as for his public support of “the plan”. It was greatly appreciated. On the surge in winter, the data show that it started before any restaurants or bars reopened. What is coming out is that it seems to be a seasonal virus. The big difference was that there is no vaccine, but there is now. That is clear as day. I am not a medical professional, but many medical professionals are saying this. I might not be smart enough to digest everything, but I can digest much of the data.

It is a different country and society now. We have 4.1 million people vaccinated. When we compare the death rate in 2020 with that in 2019, it was pretty much on a par with the last five years. It was actually less than in 2018. If we take out the mistake that was made by taking the elderly out of hospitals and putting them in care homes, it would have been significantly less.

I cannot run my business based on speculative figures which, as far as I am concerned, are what have been given. We were told the worst-case scenario was 700,000 cases. I cannot understand that. I hope politicians have nailed down the people giving them this advice and that they ask them how they can say that in the next three months we will have almost three times the number of cases we have had since this pandemic started. I hope they ask them also how they can say we will have almost half the number of deaths we have had since this pandemic started in a three-month period when we have had 4.1 million people vaccinated. The question has to be asked: what is the point of the vaccine if it will not have any effect?

Data coming from Europe says the Delta variant is a lot more transmissible but it is not as lethal by any means. Anybody will tell you the history of viruses. They always become more transmissible, but it does not mean they will become more lethal. In fact, they do not normally become more lethal.

It is not up to me. I can only do what I can for my industry. That is why I am here today. It is up to the committee to turn around to the people giving them the information and ask them to answer these questions. I cannot prepare for 100 people in my restaurant tomorrow if I have only four booked. Although I might pick up another 96, I have to go with the figures that are the facts. There are facts on the death rates, vaccination rates and the Delta variant, as opposed to previous variants. I refer to what is happening throughout Europe. If it is dangerous, and I do not know if NPHET has given the committee this advice, then why do we not shut everything down? Why do we not shut everything that is indoors? I do not want to see another business closed. It is hard enough having my business closed as well as all the restaurants. I do not want to see a hotel or a hairdressers close.

If logic dictates that it is more dangerous in a bar or restaurant, then that logic also dictates that it must be just as dangerous within any other four walls.

With regard to subsidies, we do not know the situation because it chops and changes every day. We hear that they will be pulled on a certain date, but that date is then extended. The single most important subsidy for restaurants and bars at the moment is the employment wage subsidy scheme, EWSS. The day that stops is the day there will be absolute carnage.

We have to open. It is still not too late for members of the committee to go back to their political parties and independent alliances and say that we got this wrong and we have to open up on 5 July.

I have had Treyvaud’s restaurant for 20 years and I have been in hospitality for 35 years. If you want medical advice, go to medical experts, but if you want hospitality advice, trust me and come to me. I know what I am talking about. I can bring members to hundreds of people who know what they are talking about. This is going to explode on this Government. If we think we have problems now, what is coming down the line this winter will be 1,000-fold on what we are experiencing at the moment.