A significant change.
Fáilte Ireland has updated its guidelines for indoor dining to change the requirements related to contact tracing.
Indoor dining in restaurants and cafes resumed on Monday for the first time since last December, although some pubs around Ireland have not been open since the initial lockdown in March 2020.
As part of the updated guidelines, contact tracing is now only required for the lead person at a table and for customers who are on their own.
The changes were agreed late on Sunday and also include a provision where restaurants are no longer required to record which tables groups sat at while on their premises.
As has been previously stated, customers will need to prove eligibility to dine indoors through the EU's Digital Covid Cert with its QR codes or the HSE vaccination card.
Customers will also need a physical form of ID in conjunction with the Covid Cert to prove their identity.
Upon entry, there will be a limit of six adults at each table, with no bar service and a requirement to wear a mask when not seated at their table.
This limit does not include accompanying children aged 12 or younger, but the total combined capacity at a table cannot exceed 15 overall.
If a customer leaves the premises for any reason, they must inform a staff member before re-entry.
All premises must close by 11.30pm and under-18s who are accompanied by a parent or guardian in an indoor setting currently do not need to show proof of immunity.
Live music, dancing or mingling between tables is not allowed.
Chief Executive of the LVA Donall O’Keeffe said that while reopening using vaccine passes is "not the way we wanted to reopen" it is "the only option on the table".
"All our members and other hospitality businesses must clearly understand that they have to do everything they can to ensure the new guidelines are thoroughly followed and enforced," he added.
"We would also ask the members of the public to work with the sector in helping us to make a success of these measures."
