Historic measures to combat the spread of coronavirus in New Hampshire mean it's not the Saint Patrick’s Day many Irish pubs in the state were hoping for.
Siobhan Andrikowich is general manager of the Barley House in Concord. She broke the news to her staff last night, after Gov. Chris Sununu ordered bars and restaurants to close except for takeout and delivery.
“We are taking a big hit today,” Androkowich says. “It was very hard to tell my employees that we’re going to be closed, and they were all counting on today to make a substantial amount. Because it’s St. Patrick’s Day, you know? Everybody comes out.”
Some New Hampshire bars moved their St. Patrick’s Day parties to last night, in the final hours before the governor’s closure order took effect. It sparked harsh debate on social media about the importance of social distancing to slow the rate of COVID-19 infections.
Public health officials are urging against any gatherings of more than 50 people in the coming weeks. And the state’s in-person dining restrictions will last through at least April 7.
Instead, the Barley House and many similar restaurants will feature corned beef dinners and other Irish specials on their to-go menus today. Andrikowich says customers can call ahead and pick up their orders at the door.
“We’re here, we’re ready to serve, we have all the food in the world,” she says. “Come get it.”
Meanwhile, you might spot some green shamrocks on neighbors’ windows today. Towns around the state and beyond are doing "shamrock hunts" for kids in lieu of other St. Patrick’s celebrations.
People can put up four-leaf clovers on their homes and mailboxes for their neighbors to spot. One organizer in Bedford says on Facebook it’s a way for families to go out separately, not in groups, and get some fresh air.
