RTÉ viewers were shocked at the social distancing processes demonstrated on Claire Byrne Live that will likely be in place when pubs are reopened in Ireland.
Liveline’s Joe Duffy and weather Presenter Nuala Carey went for an experimental pint in McCoys pub from Fair City.
This was all part of a segment on the talk show depicting what the pub experience will possibly be like post-lockdown.
They also had publican Billy Keane present to serve drinks and discuss how pubs would be attempting to reopen.
Each person present in the pub had to sit two metres apart and Keane was equipped with gloves and a mask to serve customers.
In regards to how these restrictions will work in the pub industry, Keane said: "None of us know. Some people are saying now that we should have perspex up at the counter.
"And you could get two or three to sit up at the bar maybe a metre or two metres apart. It's wrecking most of our heads in the pub business.
"It's life; it could be the end of the line for a lot of us."
Viewers commented on how “depressing” the social-distancing pub set up seemed, and presenter Joe Duffy certainly agreed.
Taking to Twitter he said: “Now would I bother going to a pub under those circumstances? I would in me bo**ix.
"Unless you are coming with your crossword and your game of Boggle and all you want to do is sit in the corner on your own, so to speak, people won't come.
"I knew there was going to be distance, but I thought it would be more intimate and you could have a conversation, but you can't. You can't really have a conversation unless you bellow."
In spite of Duffy, Carey and the public’s reactions to the grim set-up, publican Keane still expressed hope that restrictions could be eased and this set-up could be improved.
He said: "Maybe there's a chance for us; hopefully the vaccine will come. I hate to give up on it. I would just hate to give up on it. Let's hold tough. Let the last hour be the sorest."
