It’s been a long time coming, but if you were looking forward to getting a table in your favourite restaurant this summer, things have become a little clearer.
Guidelines from Fáilte Ireland have been a while coming, eventually landing Wednesday morning.
While indoor dining for restaurants and pubs serving food is on track to resume from 7 July, there have been repeated calls to accelerate that opening in line with hotel restaurants (restaurants in hotels) where resident guests will be allowed to dine from 2 June.
Dates and arguments aside, here’s the nub of the guidelines as we get set for a return to indoor dining in Ireland.
Guidelines for food & beverage indoors (as of May 2021)
- Service is permitted for a maximum of 6 persons aged 13 or over per table. This limit of 6 does not include accompanying children aged 12 or younger. The total combined capacity at a table cannot exceed 15 overall (max. 6 persons aged 13 and over)
- Multiple tables cannot be booked indoors.
- No parties/ social gatherings are permitted indoors.
- Table service only.
- Physical distancing of 2 metres should be maintained between tables indoors. If all risk mitigation requirements outlined in Appendix 1 have been met, then a minimum of 1 metre is permitted. The physical distancing of 1 metre is required between the outer edges of the party (back of chair to back of chair)
- Contact tracing, ventilation and enhanced hygiene measures must be adhered to.
- Measures to control noise levels. e.g. no live/loud music permitted.
- Face coverings/masks must be worn by customers at all times other than when sitting at their table.
- Employees wear face coverings/masks at all times.
- Patrons must have vacated the licenced premises by 11.30pm
What’s with the time limit?
In reading the guidelines
- If the distance between tables/groups is under 2 metres, then a time limit of 105 minutes must apply, plus an additional 15 minutes to facilitate cleaning. Pre booked time slots must be presented.
- If the distance between tables/groups is 2 metres or over, then no time limit on customers will apply.
Or, per the official wording
“If all risk mitigation requirements have been met, and physical distancing is reduced to 1 metre*, pre-booked time-limited slots must be in place for customers, which are a maximum of 105 minutes duration plus 15 minutes to allow for adequate cleaning. Pre-booking and time-limited slots of 105 minutes duration are not a requirement if physical distancing of 2 metres* is strictly maintained. In a controlled environment physical distancing of at least 1 metre* should be maintained between people seated at tables.” (via)
From 7 June, outdoor service is permitted for a maximum of 6 persons aged 13 or over per table. The total combined capacity at a table cannot exceed 15 overall (adults and children)
Check out the full guidelines here as published Wednesday 26 May 2021.
