Government public health guidelines, 18 September 2020
September 18, 2020On 18 September, the Government announced new public health measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 under the ‘Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19’.
Fáilte Ireland is in the process of updating the relevant guidelines which will be available on www.failteireland.ie.
The key measures are as follows:
- Ireland is currently in level 2 of the Plan for Living with COVID-19
- Dublin will enter Phase 3 of the Plan for Living with COVID-19 from midnight on the 18th of September 2020
- In counties subject to level 2, pubs that do not serve food will be permitted to open from the 21st of September
Level 3 Restrictions in Dublin from midnight on the 18th of September:
- With specific regard to indoor venues, museums, galleries and other cultural attractions will be closed
- Outdoor tourism activities can take place for up to 15 people once protective measures including physical distancing are adhered to
- No organised indoor events (e.g. business training events, conferences, events in theatres, cinemas and other Arts events) should take place
- Pubs that do not serve food will not be permitted to open until further notice.
- No indoor dining is allowed in restaurants, cafes and pubs serving food. Outdoor dining is only permitted to a maximum of 15 patrons at a time.
- Hotels are open, but services are limited to residents.
- In an indoor setting hotel restaurants and bars serving food will be permitted to cater only for residents
- Businesses that are serving alcohol must continue to observe the Regulations set out in S.I. 326 of 2020 as extended by S.I. 347 of 2020. e.g. serve a substantial meal under the definition currently in the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1962.
Measures for level 2 of the Plan for Living with COVID-19
The key differences in the guidelines are as follows:
- S.I. 326 of 2020 has been extended by S.I. 347 of 2020
- For businesses serving alcohol, the removal in level 2 of the requirement for the service of a substantial meal under the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1962 from September 21st
- The removal of the requirement to retain a record of substantial meals served with the exception of counties under level 3 of the Plan for Living with COVID-19
- An allowance of up to 50 guests permitted at a wedding reception