Government public health guidelines, 18 September 2020

September 18, 2020

On 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:

  1. Ireland is currently in level 2 of the Plan for Living with COVID-19
  2. Dublin will enter Phase 3 of the Plan for Living with COVID-19 from midnight on the 18th of September 2020
  3. 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:

  1. S.I. 326 of 2020 has been extended by S.I. 347 of 2020
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. An allowance of up to 50 guests permitted at a wedding reception