“While our members will be relieved to reopen next Monday there remains a significant challenge in policing the vaccine pass.”
The Vinters Federation of Ireland (VFI) has welcomed the removal of time limits as indoor dining is set to reopen on Monday for fully vaccinated cohorts, accompanying under 18s and those who have recently recovered from the virus.
The publican group said that following talks with government on Tuesday, VFI members are “relieved” to be able to reopen in some capacity from Monday, however, they added there will be a “significant challenge in policing the vaccine pass”.
Chief Executive of the VFI Padraig Cribben also said that the “temporary solution” of the vaccine pass system will “require the full support of the public”.
Following another round of talks between the hospitality sector and government, Cabinet looks set to confirm that indoor dining will reopen on Monday 26 July.
The full details and rules for the reopening are expected to be announced as Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting, however, details can’t be finalised until the legislation underpinning the reopening is signed off on by President Higgins over the coming days.
Some of the measures expected to be announced as part of the reopening include the removal of time limits, six adults to a table with 2m between tables if children are present, an 11:30pm closing time, CO2 monitors, vaccine passport checks at the entrance of establishments, and the rollout of a QR code scanning system which government is currently said to be developing.
According to Cribben, the guidelines that will allow pubs reopen on Monday are almost fully completed following the discussions.
“We have made steady progress in devising guidelines that will allow our members open on Monday,” he said on Tuesday.
“There remains details to be finalised but the removal of time limits will be welcomed by the trade.”
“While our members will be relieved to reopen next Monday there remains a significant challenge in policing the vaccine pass. It will require the full support of the public to ensure this temporary solution runs smoothly.”
