Ireland’s ‘wet pubs’ to reopen on 21st September

The Government will meet to confirm the reopening date of Ireland’s ‘wet pubs’ today

The Government will likely announce the reopening date of pubs that do not serve food as the 21st September, after discussions with the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), who advised they should not open before that date.

According to the Irish Times, the Cabinet is expected to agree to the reopening date at a meeting today.

The 60% of pubs that do not serve food around the country will be relieved by the news, as they have been closed since March, experiencing the longest lockdown on pubs in Europe.

According to guidelines sent to pubs by Fáilte Ireland, restrictions on service will be largely similar to how restaurants and pubs that serve food operate now. In bars and pubs, there will be strictly table service, with no ordering from the bar. Groups are limited to six people from three different households, and the time limit of 1 hour and 45 minutes remains.

Pubs will also have to enforce an 11:30pm closing time, with all customers off the premises by then.

According to guidelines, the time limit does not have to be enforced if there is a 2m distance between all tables in the venue.

Tipperary publicans are due to protest outside Leinster House today over the continued closure of pubs, as well as the new regulations.

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