A Mayo pub will test its customers for coronavirus before allowing them entry as part of a remarkable bid to become Ireland's first fully 'Covid free pub.'
Eileen's Bar in Aghamore – which reopened last Christmas for the first time in 35 years – says it will allow its patrons to have a drink in the 'testing area' while they await the results of a rapid Covid-19 assessment.
The tests will take just 15 minutes to come back, with customers subsequently allowed into the pub for the night.
Eileen's will charge customers €10 per head for the test, though it says the cost of running the service will be "far greater than this."
Those hoping to get into the pub will need to book in advance, and their test must come back negative before they'll be admitted.
Once in the pub, you will not be allowed to leave and return later that evening.
Testing will be carried out between 5pm and 7pm every evening.
You can head into the pub after your negative test, but you will still need to follow all the public health guidelines – including masks, sanitising and table service.
The goal, according to the bar, is to guarantee Eileen's keeps out Covid-19, and only regulars will be admitted as part of the plans.
In a statement on Facebook, the pub's owners wrote: "Eileen's are delighted to announce we will be opening this Thursday the 10th of December as the first COVID FREE pub in Ireland."
On the extra costs of running the Covid-19 tests, the pub added: "Eileen's are happy to cover those costs to make sure our staff and customers are safe and protected.
"Serving food does not mean you are safe, but Covid testing does.
"We thank you all for the support and appreciate your co-operation. We can’t wait to welcome back our loyal customers."
