This is what it will mean for pubs at every level of the government’s new Covid risk-rating roadmap

Paddy McKenna

‘Wet pubs’ in all counties bar Dublin will be able to reopen with robust protective measures in place on 21 September.

Wet pubs in Dublin will need to wait for their opportunity to open due to what the Tanaiste, Leo Varadkar, described as the “worrying situation” in the county, which has seen a rise in cases of Covid-19 in recent weeks.

The government announced its six-month plan on Tuesday morning, which outlined what will happen for various parts of society at five different risk levels.

All counties are described as currently being at Level 2, but the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin clarified that Dublin is “Level 2 with some modifications”, in relation to wet pubs and also restrictions on visitors to people’s homes.

Below is what every level of risk means for Irish bars and pubs according to the government’s plan which can be read in full here.

Level 1

Bars, cafes and restaurants (including hotel restaurants and bars)

Open with protective measures in place (for example: physical distancing, table service only, cleaning regimes, noise controls).

Maximum numbers in restaurants, cafes and bars linked to capacity of the establishment – taking account of public health advice.

You can see guidance from Fáilte Ireland on the reopening of pubs here.

Wet pubs

Open with protective measures in place (for example: physical distancing, table service only, cleaning regimes, noise controls).

Maximum numbers in bars linked to capacity of the establishment – taking account of public health advice.

Nightclubs, discos and casinos

Nightclubs, discos and casinos will remain closed.

Level 2

Bars, cafes and restaurants (including hotel restaurants and bars)

Open with protective measures in place (for example: physical distancing, table service only, cleaning regimes, noise controls).

Maximum numbers in restaurants and cafes linked to capacity of establishment, taking account of public health advice, but with individual groups limited to six people from up to three households.

Wet pubs

Open with robust protective measures in place (for example: physical distancing, table service only, cleaning regimes, noise controls).

Maximum numbers in restaurants and cafes linked to capacity of establishment, taking account of public health advice, but with individual groups limited to six people from up to 3 households.

Nightclubs, discos and casinos

Nightclubs, discos and casinos will remain closed.