Its now slated to return on July 19.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has confirmed the news that dining and drinking in Ireland will be kept outdoors until July 19. Indoor hospitality had initially been due to return on Monday, July 5 but has now been pushed back by two weeks.
During this time, the government will draw up a plan of proposals on how reopening will work. The dates have been pushed back due to NPHET concerns over the potential spread of the Delta variant of Covid-19.
NPHET also advised that indoor dining and drinking could open for vaccinated people, which has caused concerns over the vaccination status of many young staff who work in the hospitality sector.
Full guidance on the changes can be read below.
🏟️Outdoor events: As planned, numbers for organised events can increase to 200 or 500 for stadia or venues with a capacity of over 5,000
— MerrionStreet.ie #StaySafe #HoldFirm (@merrionstreet) June 29, 2021
💒Weddings: As an exception, weddings already planned will be permitted to proceed on the basis of the expected changes, with 50 guests permitted to attend wedding receptions with protective measures
— MerrionStreet.ie #StaySafe #HoldFirm (@merrionstreet) June 29, 2021
You can find the latest updates on this page https://t.co/iULdrFOYD0
— MerrionStreet.ie #StaySafe #HoldFirm (@merrionstreet) June 29, 2021
Micheál Martin said: “over the course of the coming weeks, government will work, urgently, with the relevant sectors to agree a practical and workable approach.”