Earlier this week it was revealed that the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) has given ‘wet pubs’ the green light to reopen at the end of this month. Subject to local restrictions, publicans and bar staff will be able to get back to work as of September 21 with a number of added measures in place to ensure for public safety.
According to a list of proposed measures recommended by NPHET, TV volume will need to be kept at a minimum to ensure customers can speak comfortably over the noise, while some pubs may be required to introduce additional toilet facilities in order to allow for proper social distancing to be maintained.
Customer numbers will also need to be capped depending on both the size and layout of the premises. Reacting to the new guidelines, owners at popular Dublin pub 57 The Headline mused that ‘someone has lost the plot’.
A ban on live music, and the hiring of portaloos. Someone has lost the plot #nannystate pic.twitter.com/2FgDqiRauS
— Yew Tree (@YewTreeTerenure) September 10, 2020
While it was initially thought that a ban on live music would be introduced, a source has since told the Irish Times that government will not discourage live music or sessions involving small bands or individuals – so long as public health guidelines are adhered to.
‘We are very keen to make sure that as much activity as possible takes place and we get as big a number of musicians and performers back in operation,’ the source said.
Speaking to Claire Byrne on radio earlier today, Minister for Arts Catherine Martin said that she would like to see current restrictions regarding cultural gatherings to be reevaluated in support of the industry.
Adding that there are ‘no easy times ahead’, publicans have said that the reopening news has provided ‘some light at the end of the tunnel’. Already having faced a number of challenges on the road to reopening, there are hopes that September 21 will bring a turn in the tides along with it.
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