September 21 ‘likely’ to be the date that wet pubs reopen

The Government is ‘likely’ to decide upon September 21 as the reopening date for pubs that don’t serve food, according to a report this morning.

The Cabinet is expected to finalise a date for the reopening of so-called ‘wet pubs’ and are considering dates between September 14 and 28. The Irish Times has this morning said that September 21 is the date most likely to be chosen with the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) advising that pubs should not open before that date.

Over the weekend, it emerged that the Government were planning to reopen pubs that don’t serve food by the middle of September, almost three months after those that do provide a dining option reopened their doors. Draft guidelines sent to publicans include the provisions that only table service will be allowed and that groups will be limited to six people from a maximum of three households. The 105-minute limit will remain if pubs provide a one-metre distance between groups but won’t be required if a two-metre distance can be maintained.

All pubs were ordered to close on March 15 as Ireland introduced coronavirus restrictions.

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