Legislation to allow vaccinated people to eat indoors is expected to be passed by the Dáil and Seanad this week.
Tourists to Ireland are set to be allowed to dine indoors if they’re fully vaccinated under plans to be signed off by Cabinet on Monday.
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 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 and is expected to be changed after all adults have been offered a vaccine.
When asked if antigen testing might be used to permit people entry to pubs and restaurants, Leo Varadkar said last week: “It is one of the things that are under examination at the moment.”
“That would be a departure from public health advice and NPHET advice so we’d be loath to do that right away, but it is an option that’s under consideration. But I would bear in mind that we’re really powering through the vaccine programme now.”
The legislation is also expected to offer clarity on how exactly the Covid pass will work for domestic purposes.
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