The seating time for pub and restaurant customers has been extended to 1 hour 45 minutes under new guidelines published by Failte Ireland.
Restaurants and pubs that serve food will also be allowed to implement a one-metre rule in controlled environments where two-metre physical distancing is not possible.
The planned seating time has been expanded from the HPSC recommended time of 90 minutes to 105 minutes, with an additional 15 minutes added between bookings to allow for adequate cleaning and to ensure customers leave and enter without mixing.
Businesses will also be required to collect the contact information of the person who makes the table booking for contact tracing.
The easing of measures comes after a day of intensive talks between Failte Ireland and officials from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.
“These guidelines are intended to provide clarity to businesses so that they can reopen safely on June 29th,” Paul Kelly, CEO of Fáilte Ireland, said.
“I would like to thank my team and officials from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport who have been working tirelessly on ensuring these guidelines are practical while adhering to public health advice.”
