Cabinet Ministers have agreed to re-open all pubs on September 21st.
While there’s been concerns that Dublin and Limerick are on a knife edge when it comes to further Coronavirus restrictions.
Reacting this lunchtime, Clare Independent TD Michael McNamara has said he hopes the re-opening of pubs marks the beginning of a shift in the government’s approach towards COVID-19.
This morning cabinet gave the go-ahead for all pubs to open from September 21st.
The guidelines for pubs that don’t serve food are likely to be similar to the ones open already – including keeping customer records, time slots, table service and no queuing at the bar.
However the opening will be subject to any specific local restrictions that are in place in those counties – with the cabinet warned there’s particular concern over Dublin and Limerick.
One senior source said both counties were on a knife edge when it comes to further restrictions being needed.
Another played that down – but said there is a high risk of more restrictive measures if the spread of the virus in Dublin in particular continues to rise.
A full lockdown is unlikely, but more strict measures may be looked at.
Ministers will review the situation later in the week – when the current nationwide restrictions on gatherings and sporting events will also be looked at ahead of their planned expiry on Sunday.
The government is also continuing to work on a more long term plan for living alongside the virus, which will be published next week.
