Time limits for indoor hospitality bookings to be removed

Time limits for indoor hospitality bookings are to be removed following meetings between the Government and industry stakeholders this evening.

Indoor hospitality is expected to reopen for those who are vaccinated from Monday July 26th and under previous guidelines there was set to be a time limit of 105 minutes.

Two sources at this evenings meeting have said that following discussions, these time limits will be removed.

It is understood that the 11.30pm closing time will remain but will be reviewed.

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A digital Covid certificate checker is also currently being developed by Government for businesses and customers to check and validate vaccination status using a QR reader.

This will be ready next week and will come in the form of an app.

Paper certs will also be accepted, in the form of the card fully vaccinated people are given.

This information will be checked at the door of the establishment.

It is understood that unvaccinated children will be allowed accompanied by vaccinated adults once they are seated 2m away from other tables.

There was also a “significant update” in ventilation guidelines including increasing air flow, air extraction systems and the use of CO2 monitors as recommended in the Government’s Work Safely Protocol.

It is understood officials are still working out how the system will be enforced but it will be environmental health officers who carry out checks.

In a statement after the meeting, the Restaurants Association of Ireland said that final guidelines will now go to Cabinet for approval tomorrow.

The association's chief executive officer Adrian Cummins called for a robust inspection regime by the State to give confidence to the public.

In another change, officials are now also considering requiring patrons to provide photo ID, it is understood.