Many pubs that have been closed for the past six months will be allowed to reopen from today.

Earlier this month, the government announced plans to reopen so-called ‘wet pubs’, citing employee and consumer safety restrictions.

Today’s re-opening avoids pubs in Dublin, local restrictions close all bars and restaurants in Kandy to indoor service. In the capital, bars and restaurants may continue to serve customers in a dot door area, but customers must order substantial food. Door Door space food businesses can offer takeaway or delivery service for the next three weeks.

Guidelines

Outside Dublin, pubs that have not served food and customers have not been able to open their doors for the past six months will return to business from today.

According to the guidelines for pubs, users will not be able to sit or order at the bar – it will be a table service only – and the groups will be limited to six people from three different houses and will keep a distance of one meter.

If a two-meter distance can be implemented in an area, the 105-minute time limit for customers can be avoided. All customers will leave the premises by 11.30pm.

As per the guidelines, pubs will record their customers’ arrival times, their contact details and group numbers.

‘Controlled environment’

The reopening of pubs is “good news, especially for the general public, their families and employees who have been out of work for six months,” said Padreig Kriben, chief executive of the Winters Federation of Ireland (VFI).

It’s hard to believe now that we’re worried about the two – week shutdown when the pubs closed on March 15th. This is a tribute they have paid to our members so far.

“This is good news for our users, especially in rural areas, where they can congregate in a safe and socially spaced, controlled environment. The mental health benefits that this opportunity provides to people are enormous. ”

Cribben said the public is reopening in the face of uncertainty and it is essential that they and their officials ensure that measures to maintain social distance are implemented.

“We must all work together to overcome the virus. Until a vaccine is found, the hospitality sector faces the most uncertainties of futures. Our members will trade at the best 50% capacity. The government needs to recognize this and provide meaningful support, ”he said.

“For the first time since March, when our members are ready to open their doors, we are knowingly denying our Dublin colleagues the same opportunity. We stand in solidarity with them and allow their need to be open. ”