Different countries in Europe are under varying degrees of lock down as Covid-19 spreads uncontrolled. Whether it’s travel restrictions, curfews, or requirements to close non-essential businesses, many Europeans are back to where they were in the spring.
Indoor congregant settings where people exercise poor judgment (alcohol) and fail to socially distance are thought to be key vectors of spread for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, so closing bars are one of the approaches most lockdown measures have in common.
Whether bars are closed everywhere though depends on the country. In Ireland, for instance, bars in the Dublin airport remain open because airports are considered an essential service. So you’ve got people looking for some semblance of normalcy heading to the airport to drink – buying the cheapest ticket available to get through security.
A Dublin airport spokesperson says anyone wishing to buy beer at the airport is required to also spend at least €9 on a meal, and going to the airport with no intention to travel could be punishable as “a breach of airport bye-laws which state that ‘a person may not engage in any activity which jeopardises or interferes with the … orderly operation of an airport’.”
Mostly though the airport just thinks it’s too expensive and too much trouble for most people to bother. 80 Euros for a group of four just seems like a cover charge with one drink included.
If, as it is claimed, four individuals engaged in this activity and booked flights at a cost of €9.99 each, then each would also have had to purchase a €9 meal. Therefore, the group would have had to spend €75.96, plus the cost of travel to and from Dublin Airport, before they bought a single alcoholic beverage.
At the beginning of the year several college students in New York chipped in for a single ticket to Florida because the closest Chick-fil-A was in the airport and they all had an intense craving.
Airport club lounges, with free drinks, were once commonly a spot that many frequent flyers would stop in at for drinks after work. Prior to 9/11 you could easily go through security without day travel (and there are some clubs which are pre-security). So your only hassle was getting to the airport and perhaps parking. Australia has maintained few screening restrictions for domestic flights, and Qantas Clubs for a long time were informally known as ‘Qantas Pubs’I
Fake news!! FFS
Europeans!?!? Europeans?
So millions are flocking to the airport. I don’t think so … click bait
What on earth is Jimbo talking about? With lockdowns in Europe some people are going to the airport to drink. The article here seems to match the title, though I guess Gary could have written “Irish” but maybe didn’t want to bash a stereotype.
So, 4 Europeans out of 700 million? I like your stories and advice, Gary, but the “technically correct is the best kind of correct” clickbait headlines really need to stop.
I know everyone situation is different but if you need to drink that badly, you really need to readjust your life, something is just not working for you. I have nothing against reasonable drinking but it shouldn’t be a priority. Since the pandemic started in March I think I’ve averaged 1 drink a month, try it, you’ll survive.
You fell for his prank https://www.facebook.com/526712010807134/posts/2332868303524820/?d=n
@Adrian – so did the airport, and it’s plausible, and I’m sure others have done it even if this one guy didn’t
Rich you simply don’t get it. These people are not alcoholics they simply want to return to some sense of normalcy in their lives. Not everyone is freaking out about the virus. Some of us just want to live our lives.
Going to airport to swaggle down alcohol is sad….time for a a
@Rich: Florida bars have been open since April of last year and Florida hasn’t seen many cases being acquired from them. Even more impressive considering how many non-residents have taken up temporary residence in Florida and are out and about.
The #1 place to catch COVID still is one’s own private home. This is why during past 100 years’ worth of pandemics, public health officials chose NOT to do lockdowns and close schools and businesses. Of course they didn’t have the social media mob mentality to deal with back then either.