From tonight, your night on the pub the will look a bit different.
New restrictions to stop the Omicron variant from surging, will officially come into effect at midnight.
A number of industries are affected but none more so than the live entertainment one.
Having been shut for the majority of 2020, 2021 seemed to have been a new year for bars, restaurants and nightclubs when they were greenlit to reopen earlier this year.
But that is no longer the case.
The biggest move happening at midnight is the closure of nightclubs, just weeks after opening, who will again be wondering when they can return to normal after December 7.
Here are the changes in full happening on midnight on Monday;
From 7th December until 9th January.
All bars, restaurants and hotels must revert to the situation that was in place before 22nd October.
That means:
- Table service only
- 1 metre between tables
- A maximum of six adults per table
- There can be no multiple table bookings
- Masks must be worn when not at the table
- Closing time remains at midnight
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There will be a maximum of 50% capacity at entertainment, cultural, community and sporting events, which must all be fully seated. Face masks must be worn at all times unless eating or drinking.
Hospitality bosses have demanded the latest Covid business supports be expanded.
Ministers, including Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, were at talks to hear these calls.
The hospitality sector representatives want key criteria that a business must hit a 50% business loss threshold to get a 12% of turnover cashback be revised.
Lobbyists say the “vast majority” of businesses are being excluded because of the tight-fisted approach by Government.
Talks between pubs, restaurants and entertainment industry reps with three government ministers concluded just before lunchtime on Monday.
Chief Executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, Adrian Cummins spoke to the Irish Mirror after the meeting broke up.
He said: “The Restaurants Association of Ireland and representatives of the Hospitality and Live Entertainment sector had a productive and constructive meeting with Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, Minister Michael McGrath, and Minister Catherine Martin."
