Social distancing rules may change for the reopening of pubs and restaurants that serve food, but only if you leave after 90 minutes.
It’s understood the two metre rule will reduce to one under these conditions.
The proposal is included in draft guidelines on the reopening of restaurants and pubs that serve food at the end of this month.
The guidelines suggest a reduction of social distancing to one-metre will be possible – but only if customers pre-book tables and limit their visit to 90 minutes.
Meanwhile, pubs will have to offer a “substantial meal” to customers if they are to reopen with restaurants.
The substantial meal must be large enough to serve as a main course for lunch or dinner and cost no less than €9.
Fáilte Ireland spokesperson Paul Hayden said the food rules should not cause businesses any problem.
“The guidance there defines a substantial meal and puts a value on it,” he said.
“This is as defined by the Intoxicating Liquor Act of 1962 so that is the legislation that is in place and most businesses would understand that aspect of it.”
The tourism body said it was seeking clarity from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) on some of the rules before publishing finalised guidelines.
“It will be a matter for us to work in collaboration with our departments and the officials there and engage with the Health Protection Surveillance Centre just around getting clarity on the aspects of this,” said.
He said they would hope to publish pub guidelines on this within the coming days.
Pubs and restaurants that serve food are due to reopen on Monday June 29th.
Intoxicating Liquor Act 1962
1. This Order may be cited as the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1962 (Section 9) Order 2003.
2. This Order shall come into operation on 29 September 2003.
3. The sum of €9.00 is fixed for the purposes of section 9 (1) of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1962 .
