Thousands of pubs across the country (except Dublin) that don’t serve food open today after six months of closed doors.
However, the experience for staff and customers alike will be very different.
There will be limits on customer numbers allowed into the premises with strict social distancing measures in place.
Customers will not be able to sit at or order at the bar, it will be table service only.
Groups will be limited to six people from three different households, with distancing of one metre.
Speaking about the reopening of pubs Padraig Cribben, Chief Executive of Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI) said it is “a good news story, particularly for publicans, their families and staff who have been out of work for six months.”
“It’s hard to believe now that when pubs closed on 15 March we were worried about a two-week shutdown. It’s a tribute to our members that they made it to this point.”
“This is also great news for our customers, particularly in rural areas, who can now come together in a safe, socially distanced, controlled environment. The mental health benefits this opportunity will offer people are enormous.”
