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RESTAURANTS AND GASTROPUBS can reopen from today throughout the country.
Ireland entered Level 3 restrictions earlier this week after spending six weeks at Level 5.
Shops and non-essential services have reopened, cultural institutions such as cinemas and museums have reopened and, starting today, it is possible to dine in a restaurant again.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that there had been a “massive national effort” to roll back the disease and that individuals and companies had made many sacrifices during Level 5.
Here you will find everything you need to know about eating at a restaurant starting today.
What is allowed to reopen?
Restaurants and gourmet pubs may reopen for dining indoors with some additional restrictions.
These include:
- A requirement for meals to be prepared within the restaurant.
- A maximum of six diners per table both indoors and outdoors
- Multiple reservations are not allowed for the same party
Wet pubs are Not allowed to reopen at this time and are still restricted to takeout services only.
Plans to give gardaí new powers to fine people who gather outside to drink alcohol were shelved by the Cabinet last month.
Rather than a total ban on takeout pints, the ministers decided to focus on enforcing existing rules governing the consumption of alcohol in a public space.
Regarding meals in hotels, people who are not staying at the hotel can eat in the restaurant.
What restrictions are there?
A substantial meal costing no less than € 9 must be served in the restaurant or pub that operates as a restaurant under current Fáilte Ireland guidelines.
Venues serving food and drink must also close at 11:30 p.m. Live or loud music is not allowed.
A distance of at least two meters between tables is required in a controlled environment such as a restaurant. This can be reduced to one meter if two meters is not possible and if a number of requirements are met.
These requirements include the use of signs to ask customers not to enter if they have Covid-19 symptoms, regulating entry to prevent facilities from becoming overcrowded, and placing Plexiglas barriers on checkouts and counters if possible.
If tables are only one meter apart, a maximum eating time of one hour and 45 minutes should be set for diners.
This limit is only mandatory for restaurants with less than two meters between tables.
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It is recommended that customers wear face covers when arriving and leaving your table In restaurants.
Restaurants are also encouraged to encourage reservations over walk-ins. Customers must remain seated in the restaurant and order from their seat, not from the bar counter.
Diners should be warned to stay six feet from other groups of people outside their home while queuing, using elevators or stairs, and when moving around the restaurant.
Later this month, on December 18, restrictions on home visiting will be removed to allow two households to visit a third. Inter-county travel will also be allowed from this date, through January 6.
Here’s a rundown of the other changes that will go into effect later this month and the measures that are already in effect.
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