A Co Down restaurant is the latest Northern Ireland hospitality venue to announce a circuit breaker closure as the Omicron variant continues to spread at an increasing rate.
The Jamaica Inn, Bangor joins a number of hospitality venues have taken the decision to close or reduce their trading hours in a bid to protect both staff and customers.
With close contact guidance in NI requiring that anyone who comes in contact with someone who is Covid positive to isolate, many venues have been under pressure from staff shortages.
The Jamaica Inn took to social media on Sunday to inform customers of their decision.
"It is with a heavy heart that we have taken the decision to close for a week from tomorrow, Monday 3rd January. We will reopen Monday 10th January," they said.
"The staff who are still in a position to work are going the extra mile to cover the staff who aren’t, and this can’t go on indefinitely.
"Businesses are being forced to take these decisions with little to no support from the government.
"This is not a decision we have made lightly but it’s been increasingly hard to cover the rota with the appropriate numbers of staff and also provide the level of service our customers expect and deserve.
"A week will give our staff a chance to rest and recuperate.
"We apologise to the customers who were booked to visit this week. If we haven’t already, we will be in touch in due course to rearrange your visit.
"Any queries please direct message or email info@thejamaicainn.co.uk.
"Thanks for your understanding. Stay safe and see you on the 10th. The (Gutted) Jam Fam xx."
Hours earlier, the popular Seacliff Road eaterie appealed to patrons to bear with them as they struggled with staffing issues.
They posted: "This is getting harder and harder to staff, more staff are off isolating due to close contact… today will be short staffed so please be patient. We are doing our best to get cover."
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