Midlands hotel which closed due to illness outbreak hopes to reopen this week

The Glasson Lakehouse hotel, which has been closed to the public for the last week due to an illness outbreak affecting both guests and staff, is hoping it will be in a position to reopen later this week.

A spokesperson for the hotel told the Offaly Independent on Monday it was not possible to be definitive about the reopening date, but the aim was for the four-star hotel to be back up and running by Friday.

It's understood two weddings were due to take place at the Lough Ree-adjacent hotel last weekend, but alternative venues were found for both.

The hotel's spokesperson said there were "special events" scheduled at the hotel for this coming weekend, and her expectation was that they would be able to proceed.

"I feel really confident that they will be able to go ahead, because we are following all of the protocol to a ‘t’," the spokesperson said.

"We also want the HSE's blessing. We want them to look at the checklist and say, yes, we feel 100% confident and you can go ahead (and reopen)."

The HSE said last week it had been "investigating an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness affecting people who attended a premises in Westmeath" since Monday, August 24.

The hotel said it "officially closed" on Wednesday last, August 26, due to the illness outbreak which it said had been confirmed as Norovirus.

In addition, the golf course on its grounds, Glasson Golf Club, closed last week and remains closed with no confirmed reopening date available at the time of writing.

A statement issued to the Offaly Independent on behalf of the hotel last Thursday afternoon said: "It is with regret that we have decided to temporarily close our premises as a precautionary measure following an outbreak of Norovirus.

"We notified the HSE when we became aware that some recent guests and team members exhibited symptoms.

"In consultation with the HSE, we implemented a voluntary closure and are working closely with the HSE to carry out all appropriate control measures, which we have acted on immediately."

The statement from the Glasson Lakehouse said it "deeply regrets" the impact the illness outbreak has had on guests, and thanked them for their patience and support.

"We are doing everything we can to look after everyone affected and are seeking alternative venues for guests and events to minimise the inconvenience caused," it added.

On Monday of this week, the hotel's spokesperson said it was currently organising the disinfection and sanitisation of the premises.

"We're going above and beyond. It's so rare for a hotel to be empty, with no guests, so we're taking this opportunity to really go deep on everything."

Because the closure was voluntary, the hotel does not specifically require authorisation from the HSE to reopen but the spokesperson said it was remaining in close contact with health officials each day.

"The same way that (the HSE) suggested to close, they could also suggest that we stay closed. But we hope that will not be the case," the spokesperson said.

"Our biggest priority is making sure that everyone is healthy and comfortable with everything."

By the time the hotel officially closed on Wednesday last, all guests had left the premises.

Norovirus is a stomach bug which can cause vomiting and diarrhoea and is known for spreading easily in indoor spaces such as hospitals, nursing homes and schools.

The HSE was contacted for an update this week. In response, a HSE spokesperson said it had issued "clear advice" to the hotel's management on actions to be taken before reopening.

"The HSE has issued clear advice to the management team of the premises regarding the risk assessment and actions required before reopening," its statement said.

"The decision on when the premises is appropriate and safe to reopen rests with the hotel management, following completion of its risk assessment and any necessary actions arising from that assessment."