Irish pubs are currently due to open in August under the Government's official reopening plan.
All pubs will have to change considerably when they are allowed to open with social distancing still paramount.
And British chain Wetherspoons is already planning how they will operate when they reopen in the UK and Ireland by releasing the measures they hope to implement.
Their detailed social distancing and hand hygiene rules could be the type of things we see in all pubs going forward.
Here's a detailed version of Wetherspoons' safe reopening plans;
Rules that could become the norm
- All Wetherspoons pubs will have screens fitted at the till point, while customers will be encouraged to pay via its smartphone app.
- There will also be screens to create seating areas where it is not possible to separate the tables to the social distancing requirement.
- Wetherspoons will also provide staff with gloves, masks and protective eyewear, which will be made compulsory, subject to government guidelines.
- There will be an average 10 hand sanitiser dispensers around each pub, including at the entrance for customers and staff to use. Guests will be asked to use them when entering stores.
- Every employee will need to complete and sign a daily health assessment questionnaire to confirm that they are fit to work. This will include having their temperature taken using a digital thermometer.
- Dedicated staff will monitor the pub at all times in order to maintain social distancing standards and there will be a member of staff on the door at peak times.
- The pubs will use one entrance with a separate exit door where possible.
- Customer entry and exit will be marked out by floor stickers and/or barriers and there will be clear printed information providing guidance to customers as they enter the pubs.
- Each pub will have a member of staff working full time (two or more staff per pub to cover all opening hours) to sanitise all the contact points during opening hours.
- These will include door handles, allergen information screens, card payment machines and hand rails.
- Customers will be asked to use the Wetherspoon order and pay app, wherever possible, or pay at the bar using a credit/debit card and contactless, although cash will be accepted.
- Staff will hand over all drinks holding the base of the glass, and when ordered by the app, they will be delivered to the table on a tray and placed down using the base of the glass.
- Food will be delivered to the table by a member of floor staff.
- The pubs will also offer a slightly reduced menu and will provide sachets for ketchup, mayonnaise, salt and pepper, rather than their usual condiment bottles.
