Draft guidelines sent to publicans this weekend indicate that the 105-minute time limit is set to be scrapped if a distance of two metres can be maintained.
Since June, pubs that serve food have been allowed to open with a requirement that customers leave after 105 minutes among the provisions. However, this ruling is set to be scrapped when pubs that don't serve food reopen their doors in the coming weeks - as long as a two-metre distance between groups can be maintained.
The time limit will remain for pubs that can only guarantee a one-metre distance, while groups will be required to be limited to a maximum of six people from no more than three households.
The draft guidelines also indicate that venues must be closed by 11.30pm, with all customers off the premises by that time. A strict table service policy will be in place and counter service will be prohibited.
It
emerged this weekend that the Government is planning to reopen so-called 'wet pubs' by the middle of this month and plans are expected to be finalised by September 14.
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