The Department of Transport & Tourism has indicated that one-metre social distancing could potentially be introduced in pubs. The Department has also clarified the definition of a pub serving food. The full press release from Failte Ireland reads as follows:
“Fáilte Ireland has received guidance from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre entitled “COVID19: Guidance for Food Service Businesses”. The detailed guidance is aimed at facilitating the safe reopening of food service businesses, including pubs. The guidelines refer to various measures and arrangements, including a potential reduction of the current 2-metre physical distancing restriction to 1-metre in certain circumstances.
Fáilte Ireland is working through the guidance document in consultation with officials from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport to seek clarity on some aspects in order to fully update and incorporate this guidance into our sector specific operational guidelines for food service businesses.
Fáilte Ireland’s guidelines for pubs (which include pubs, gastro pubs and bars) will be published in the coming days. The guidelines will state that from June 29th pubs that serve food and meet other features expected of a restaurant may reopen. Any food offering will be required to be a substantial meal (as defined by the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1962: “the meal is such as might be expected to be served as a main midday or evening meal or as a main course in either such meal”) and will be required to be of a kind for which it would be reasonable to charge not less than €9.”
Fáilte Ireland is working through the guidance document in consultation with officials from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport to seek clarity on some aspects in order to fully update and incorporate this guidance into our sector specific operational guidelines for food service businesses.
Fáilte Ireland’s guidelines for pubs (which include pubs, gastro pubs and bars) will be published in the coming days. The guidelines will state that from June 29th pubs that serve food and meet other features expected of a restaurant may reopen. Any food offering will be required to be a substantial meal (as defined by the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1962: “the meal is such as might be expected to be served as a main midday or evening meal or as a main course in either such meal”) and will be required to be of a kind for which it would be reasonable to charge not less than €9.”
