DUBLIN: Indoor dining will be resumed in restaurants, bars, cafes, and hotels across the country very shortly as Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said the cabinet has approved legislation for the resumption of indoor hospitality.
The government hopes to allow indoor dining from July 23. The Cabinet-approved amendment can only be implemented in the country if it is signed by the President after further proceedings. The government expects this to be completed by the end of next week, or before July 26th.
The new legislation allows fully vaccinated people, those who have recently recovered from COVID-19, and children under the age of 18 who are accompanied by vaccinated parents or another vaccinated individual to enter pubs and restaurants.
The Digital COVID Certificates will be used as the COVID pass for indoor dining. Those wishing to access indoor hospitality must produce evidence of vaccination or immunity. In the case of children, people accompanying them must provide proof.
“I hope people won’t see this as discrimination. This is entirely a public health measure,” the Tánaiste said. “Those most at risk now are those who are not vaccinated,” he added.
Mr. Varadkar said the type of certificates that will be accepted will be specified prior to the reopening date. He said gardaí will not be going inside venues to verify individual vaccine passes, but they will be checking if venues are making those checks. There would be fines of up to €2,500 for forged documents or for venues that were not verifying certificates.
Mr. Varadkar acknowledged that this is not the best way to reopen, but it is the only option until all adults have been vaccinated. He said that while all adults may be vaccinated by September, complete reopening may take longer because all teenagers may not be vaccinated by then.
Provisions under the bill
The Tánaiste said the bill includes provisions for extending hospitality to those who test negative for COVID-19 in a PCR or antigen test. But he added that more scientific advice was needed to get it approved.
He said the bill also contains provisions to extend it to other indoor venues like bingo halls and bowling allies in the future. It may also allow unvaccinated employees to enjoy a meal at the premises before or after work.
Mr. Varadkar said that nightclubs operating as nightclubs could not be opened for a while and it could operate as a licensed venue with only six to one table and table service.
Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin, who described the reopening as a crucial next step for the hospitality industry, said that pilot events will be held in nightclubs and dance hall settings in the near future. Minister Martin also said that she will seek advice in order to allow for the return of live music to licensed venues.
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