The country is inching closer and closer to finally seeing the return of indoor hospitality.
Originally it has been planned that indoor dining would return for pubs and restaurants on July 5.
However the government was forced to push that back due to the threat posed by the Delta variant.
Today cabinet is meeting to finalise plans to facilitate the reopening for those who have been fully vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19 in the last six months.
Here's what we know so far:
Indoor dining reopening date
It currently looks as though the government is aiming for next Monday July 26 for the reopening of indoor dining.
Rules in place
Here are the rules that pubs will have to follow:
- Maximum six people to a table
- At least two metres between a table, unless there are kids present, in which case they can be one metre seperate
- There will be no time limits - people will be able to stay for as long as they want. This was different to the last time we were able to dine indoors
- However, pubs will still have to be closed at 11.30pm
CO2 monitors will be installed in order for pub owners to check ventilation
Government Information Services are said to be developing a special Digital Covid Certification app for scanning and checking in time for the reopening.
On top of that, there will be an inspection regime set up by HSE and HSE officials.
Unvaccinated Children will be allowed accompanied by vaccinated Adults once seated 2m away from other tables.
Pubs and restaurants will reopen on Monday, July 26
When will an announcement be made
There were doubts as to when an official government announcement would be made on indoor dining.
However now that the amended health bill has officially been signed into law there could be an announcement as soon as this evening or tomorrow.
