Hospitality To Close From 8pm As Government Adopts Amended NPHET Restrictions

Friday, 17 December 2021 17:49

They'll come into effect on Monday.

Cabinet has agreed an 8pm curfew for the hospitality sector to take effect from Monday.

Ministers rejected advice from NPHET, which recommended a 5pm closure for those businesses.

Those measures will last until January 30th, but will be reviewed on January 11th.

Here's a list of what's changing:

All restaurants and bars (excluding take-away and delivery services) must close at 8pm.
There should be no indoor events after 8pm.
For indoor events before 8pm, events should be limited to 50 per cent of venue capacity, or 1,000 people, whichever is lower.
Attendance at all outdoor events should be limited to 50 per cent of venue capacity, or 5,000 people, whichever is lower.
Wedding receptions can take place after 8pm, with a capacity limit of 100 guests.

Regarding close contacts:

For those who have received a booster at least one week ago, they will have to restrict movement for five days and take three antigen tests.
For those who haven't received a booster, they must restrict their movement for 10 days.
All people arriving into the country from overseas will be required to have an antigen or PCR test, in line with their vaccination or recovery status.
All passengers arriving into Ireland should take antigen tests on a daily basis for five days, starting on the day of arrival.

The Hospitality Sector has reacted with shock and devastation this evening following Government’s announcement of further restrictions on trading hours. Speaking following the announcement CEO of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, Adrian Cummins said;

“This has been a devastating blow for hospitality businesses and employees this evening. The majority of hospitality businesses rely on income from the Christmas period to see them through the quieter first two months of the year. The loss of income over Christmas is about more than just the festive season, it is about surviving the winter months. It is imperative that financial supports are put in place immediately to offset the impact this will have for businesses and their employees and enable them to survive. As a sector and as a country we need better engagement on what the plan for living with this disease will be going forward. The current last minute reactionary approach is not working, we stand as always, ready able and willing to engage with Government on a plan for the survival and reopening of hospitality.”