NPHET have recommended that pubs, restaurants, cinemas, theatres and sporting events will also have to shut at 5pm from Monday in a bid to minimise the spread of the Omicron variant.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin is due to address the nation at 6pm to announce the new measures.
The VFI say the government need to understand that the majority of pubs generate 90% of their turnover after 5pm and that a full return to the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme will be needed if pubs are forced to close early.
Speaking to RedFM News, Michael O'Donovan from the VFI in Cork says an early closure order would be disastrous:
"We've deliveries coming in tomorrow even and Monday, so all those orders have been placed, especially perishable items for food outlets this weekend and through to Monday and Tuesday. That's all probably in stock by now hence we're going to be looking at a situation where a lot of that stock may not be moved this weekend and obviously there's a financial loss to that. So it's got huge implications. December is always seen as the month to make your money so that you can pay your bills in January and February."
