Indoor lunches are being permitted in restaurants, cafes and pubs this afternoon for the first time in eight months.
It comes as the Clare Chair of the VFI is warning that as many as a quarter of pubs in this county may choose not to reopen for indoor service today.
It’s the first time in 2021 that customers will be permitted inside a restaurant, bar or cafe for service – with some businesses opening for the first time in nearly 500 days.
Though only those who have been fully vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19, will be allowed to avail of it for now.
A maximum of 6 adults will be allowed at one table and wearing face masks will be mandatory while not seated.
A late change to the Fáilte Ireland guidelines overnight means only the lead person for each booking will have to give their phone number for contact tracing, as opposed to everyone.
CEO of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, Adrian Cummins, welcomes the change, but says it’s been frustrating to find out so late.
The uncertainty among businesses hasn’t stopped customers from popping into outlets across Clare this lunchtime for indoor refreshments.
These Spanish tourists enjoying a coffee in Ennis told Clare FM News they were happy to be back indoors – as long as the café is not too busy..
Clare’s VFI Chair, though, is warning that as many as a quarter of pubs in this county may choose not to reopen for indoor service today due to not having adequate time to prepare.
Ennis publican Charlie O Meara believes many businesses will wait for a number of weeks before they begin serving indoors again.
