Stephen Donnelly confirms indoor dining limitation for unvaccinated people will have “initial duration” of three months

Clara Kelly

He added that it will “operate for no longer than necessary”.

Stephen Donnelly has confirmed that the indoor dining limitation for unvaccinated people will have an “initial duration” of three months.

The Minister for Health told the Dáil’s health committee that emergency legislation on reopening of indoor hospitality will “operate for no longer than necessary”.

However, the current plan is to see the restrictions in place for three months at first.

Groups such as the Vinters Federation of Ireland (VFI) have called on Government to introduce a “sunset clause” as part of the indoor dining legislation, which would ensure that the system is scrapped after all adults have been offer a Covid-19 vaccine.

The Cabinet will sign off on plans this afternoon to reopen indoor hospitality in bars and restaurants, according to RTÉ News.

The meeting comes following talks between government and the hospitality sector which took place over the weekend.

The government is aiming to have legislation, which will allow vaccinated people and under 18s accompanied by vaccinated people to eat and drink indoors at restaurants and pubs, passed by the Dáil and Seanad this week.

The bill, which will likely be an amendment to the 1947 Public Health Act, will then go to President Michael D Higgins to be signed before a new system can come into operation. However, the President will be allowed to consult with the Council of State if he believes the legislation conflicts with the constitution.

As it stands, it’s likely that fully vaccinated people, those who have recently recovered from Covid-19, and those under 18 who are accompanied by a vaccinated person, will be exclusively allowed to dine indoors when the industry reopens.

Tourists who can prove they have recently been vaccinated will also be permitted to dine indoors.

The legislation is also set to look at ways antigen testing may be incorporated into the reopening of indoor hospitality.

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