The Irish Government have confirmed that nightclubs can reopen this Friday, October 22, but said that extra restrictions will need to be in place.
Following a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday morning, ministers said specific rules will be developed for nightclubs which are likely to “involve Covid-19 passes, contact tracing data collection and wearing of facemasks except when eating, drinking and dancing”.
Pubs, restaurants and wider hospitality will also be allowed to resume normal trading hours from Friday with the continued use of masks, vaccine certificates and social distancing measures.
The table service only rule will remain with a maximum of ten adults at a table. When children are included, this rises to 15.
Theatres and music venues will only be permitted to operate if fully seated, while religious services and weddings can proceed without capacity limits under today’s revised reopening plan.
Fixed capacity will no longer apply for indoor and outdoor activities but protective measures must be put in place, and where groups are mixed indoors, pods of six will apply. Covid passes will not apply for outdoor events.
Taoiseach Micheal Martin said: “We are in a much different position to last year. We have reopened significant sections of society with significant impact on the economy – to the better.”
“We need to proceed with caution over the next number of months to defeat this virus.”
