The public will be rejoicing at the news that nightclubs will be allowed to reopen from midnight.
On top of this long-awaited return, there are also new rules surrounding pubs for those who don't fancy a bop in Coppers just yet.
While nightclubs and other venues can now reopen at full capacity, people will be able to order a drink at the bar for the first time in 18 months.
As reported earlier by the Irish Mirror, Christmas parties are also back on the cards after the Government confirmed an increase in table capacity and booking numbers.
Here's everything we know about the grand reopening:
Nightclubs
- Can reopen at 100% capacity
- Bar service is allowed, but people will need to return to their table with drinks
- Face masks/coverings must be worn, but can be removed for drinking and dancing
- Can open late depending on license of the individual premises.
- Guests must show proof of vaccination
Live venues
- 1,500 standing guests allowed, in addition to full capacity of seating
- The same rules as nightclubs will otherwise apply
Pubs and restaurants
- Curfew of 11.30pm will be lifted
- Table numbers can increase to 10 for a group of adults, or 15 if children are also seated at the table
- Guests can book multiple tables
- Bar service will also return, with people allowed to queue in a socially distant fashion. Drinks must be brought back to an individuals table once purchased. This also applies to carvery food.
- Live music can resume
- Face coverings must be worn as normal when not seated at your table
- Guests must show proof of vaccination.
Shifting
One thing that many people wanted to know was whether shifting would be allowed to return once hospitality fully reopened.
When asked about this earlier this week, Dr Tony Holohan told the Irish Mirror that getting closer to people carries “an increase in risk,” but said he wasn’t going to “dictate” to people what they can and can’t do.
Are the hospitality industry happy with the new rules?
The Vintners Federation of Ireland said that "anomalies remain" with regards to guidelines for pubs and nightclubs.
Padraig Cribben, VFI Chief Executive, says: “The new guidelines allow customers order at the bar counter which will have a big impact for publicans struggling to find lounge staff. We also welcome the reopening of nightclubs and note clubs must follow the same restrictions as pubs in relation to bar counters.
“While we welcome the reopening of night clubs we now have the anomaly where clubs can operate at 100% capacity but pubs must operate at reduced capacity because customers will not be allowed stand or congregate at the bar.
"This will lead to a farcical situation where 1,000 people can dance or stand around drinking in a nightclub but a small number of customers cannot sit at the bar of their local pub or, indeed, play darts or pool.
“It’s obvious these guidelines were issued by Government without any meaningful consultation with the hospitality sector. We now have to work with members to implement changes that go live in less than 24 hours.”
Donall O’Keeffe, Chief Executive of the Licensed Vintners Association, added: “Broadly speaking these are positive measures which seem to have resolved some of the outstanding issues. It is positive that there will be full trading hours for the licences trade and that there will be tables of up to 10 adults and multiple bookings will be allowed.
"It is really positive that the late night sector can reopen on 22nd October after being kept closed for 585 consecutive days and they will be operating at 100% capacity. It is also good to see that all bars will operate the same. While the use of order and collect at the bar is a step in the right direction, we do foresee challenges in how that is implemented in busy venues. We were disappointed that the use of the full bar counter hasn’t been permitted across the trade given what else has been approved."
The Restaurants Association of Ireland says it is giving a "guarded welcome" to the new rules. The group said that while social distancing will remain, it is happy with the increase in table numbers and return of multiple bookings.
