Coronavirus in Ireland: new government plan could see ‘wet pubs’ opening in a few days with no time limit set on one visit

The government is working on a new plan that could allow so-called ‘wet pubs’ to open in a few days, without a set time limit on the amount of time bettors can spend enjoying their drinks.

The publicans are demanding that authorities set a definitive date for alcoholics to return, after the Taoiseach received advice on how they can safely reopen during the Covid-19 pandemic.

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It comes as the National Public Health Emergency Team and the Government are ready to finalize a new roadmap for the next nine months that will include details of how spectators will return to sporting events, the return from concerts and the escalation of non-Covid healthcare. facilities.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin received a guide this weekend describing how humid pubs can reopen for the first time since they closed their doors six months ago.

The council recommends that they use table service, keep customers at least one meter apart, and limit the number of people allowed inside.

All bar staff will be asked to wear face masks, hand sanitizer must be available at the entrance, and customers must provide a name and phone number to trace contacts.

It is understood that there will also be no limit to the amount of time that customers can spend in the pub.

PUB CONSULTATION

The guidelines were sent to the government over the weekend and public bodies will be consulted on the draft of the rules in the next few days before the pubs can reopen in the coming weeks.

Reports over the weekend claimed that the government plans to allow wet bars to reopen in two weeks, which could mean that the announcement will coincide with the release of the new roadmap for the next nine months, to be released. on September 14.

The bodies representing Irish tavern keepers demanded yesterday that the government set a date for alcoholics to reopen and abandon the “mixed messages” that are causing problems for the industry.

A spokesperson for the Licensed Vintners Association, which represents Dublin’s pubs, told the Irish Sun: “We are not going to count our chickens yet because we have already been here several times.

“If this week has shown us something, it is that we need clear communication from the Government about what may or may not be happening.

CLEAR COMMUNICATION

“We would like to have a fixed date. It is imperative that it is provided as soon as possible and we would also like to see clear lines of communication from the Government instead of these mixed messages.

“You had (acting medical director) Dr. Ronan Glynn on the Late Late Show saying that the dank pubs might open before Christmas and then obviously there’s this article in the media.

“We don’t know what the real truth is. We would like clarity and it would be great if they could give it to us in the very near future.”

A spokesperson for the Irish Vintners Federation told the Irish Sun: “After the reopening was postponed three times, reports that pubs will open ‘in two weeks’ will be met with some skepticism by our members.

“There is a great feeling of having gone back up the hill. Having said that, our members are desperate to open up and it appears that attitudes have changed in Government. We’ll see.

OUTLIER COUNTRY

“As the only country in Europe where pubs are closed, Ireland is an outlier.

“The evidence from the UK and Europe is that the reopening of bars has no adverse impact on the infection rate. We have to learn to live with the virus, opening pubs is part of that process. “

A protest is being organized by angry rural publicans with groups of 15 who will march in the Dail next week to express their anger that they are still closed.

Speaking on the Late Late Show on Friday night, Dr. Glynn revealed that NPHET will be keeping an eye on the impact of reopening schools on the number of Covid-19 cases in order to allow pubs to reopen if they do. cases do not increase.

He said: “As we sit here tonight, the disease is stable. The schools have just reopened. We need to see what happens during the next two weeks.

STABLE POSITION

“If we see continued stabilization or improvement, we will obviously re-examine the measures and relax them.

“It’s the same with wet bars. NPHET has no fundamental objection to opening wet bars.

“We are well aware of the fact that when we talk about wet bars we are talking about families and small family businesses across the country that have been disproportionately affected.

“I know they feel anger, frustration and a total sense of injustice and I understand that and I don’t want to be someone who stands above that.

“As soon as the wet bars can reopen, they will reopen, but like I said, the key, just for the next two weeks, is to make sure our schools reopen safely and then check.”

NEW ROADMAP

It comes as the Government is ready to finalize the new roadmap to get Ireland through the next nine months of Covid-19 this week, which will include a plan for viewers to return to sports.

Sport Minister Catherine Martin, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly and Dr Glynn held a meeting with the FAI, GAA, IRFU and Sport Ireland over the weekend.

During the video conference, the Ministers spoke about the fans who will return to watch live sports in the near future if there was not a sudden increase in Covid-19 cases.

Details of how spectators will be able to return to the sports fields will be announced on the Living With Covid-19 roadmap on September 14, which could allow fans to enter the stadiums to watch All Ireland GAA games this year. .

The roadmap will also include plans to help the hardest hit arts sector, with details of how live concerts will be allowed to return later this year, with limited capacities and health measures in place.

The roadmap will also include more details on how HSE’s plan to deal with the flu season and increased non-Covid care during the winter.

It is understood that the HSE winter plan will include a huge cash injection for the health service in order to keep the testing and tracing program in place while returning staff and resources to non-care. of Covid.

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