The Government is reconsidering the €9 substantial meal rule for pubs this year

The Government is set to scrap the €9 substantial meal rule that saw pub-goers having to order food along with their drink last year.

The controversial guideline meant that, by law, people had to order what was considered to be a ‘substantial’ meal costing at least €9 if they wanted to enjoy a drink in a pub when Covid restrictions were eased last summer. However, the Irish Mirror reports that this rule will no longer be in place when the hospitality industry reopens at some point in 2021.

At last night’s press briefing, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the Government would be looking at it “afresh this year,” offering hope that pubs that don’t serve food could reopen alongside those that do.

In an address to the nation last night, Martin announced details of the new Covid-19 Resilience & Recovery 2021 plan, with schools set to begin a phased reopening on Monday of next week. It was also announced that current Level 5 restrictions will remain in place until April 5 at the earliest.

You can read about the new plan in more detail here.

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