Irish pubs and restaurants may be allowed to change social distancing measures to one metre – that’s if customers stay for only 90 minutes at a time.
And pubs will only be allowed to reopen from 29th June if they serve meals that cost “at least €9”.
The guidelines are being introduced to ensure pub visitors are getting a proper main course type meal.
It is reported today that new Failte Ireland guidelines under consideration for restaurants, and pubs which serve food, may include reducing the two metre rule if there is a time limit on visits and mandatory pre-booking by customers.
Pubs without a restaurant licence are currently scheduled to reopen from 20 July.
Fáilte Ireland has confirmed that it received draft guidance from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre on the safe reopening of food businesses.
“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,” it said.