Table service, no dancing and no standing at the bar as ‘wet’ pubs get green light to reopen

The indicative date of September 21 was extended by two days to enable new regulations for the hospitality sector to be put in place to support their safe operation.

Following extensive engagement with the hospitality sector, the Executive has agreed that mandatory requirements will include venues having to identify the number of people who can safely be accommodated in line with social distancing requirements, and must clearly display this figure in the premises.

Hand sanitisation stations must be in place and the pubs will be required to collect customer details to assist with the Test, Trace, Protect contact tracing programme.

All service will be seated at tables and there will be no standing and no service at the bar.

Customers must remain seated once in the premises, apart from using toilets etc, while dancing will be prohibited.

A maximum of six people from any number of households can be seated at a table but children aged 12 and under will be discounted from the total. More than six will be permitted if they all belong to a single household.

Face coverings should be worn to enter and leave the venue and for movement inside, the NI Executive said. They are not required once seated.

The regulations will apply to any venue serving alcohol or where alcohol can be brought in and consumed by customers.

Meanwhile in Donegal and the rest of Ireland, with the exception of Dublin, pubs are expected to reopen on Monday with similar restrictions in place.

With regard to the regulation limiting indoor domestic gatherings to six people from two households, the Executive has agreed to amend the regulation so that children aged 12 and under from those two households are not included in the total. This does not include those areas where additional localised restrictions apply.