Fáilte Ireland has revealed that it has received guidance from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre entitled "COVID-19: Guidance for Food Service Businesses".
The detailed guidance is aimed at facilitating the safe reopening of food service businesses, including pubs that serve food. The guidelines refer to various measures and arrangements, including a potential reduction of the current two metre physical distancing restriction to one metre in certain circumstances.
Fáilte Ireland said that it is working through the guidance document in consultation with officials from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport to seek clarity on some aspects in order to fully update and incorporate this guidance into its sector specific operational guidelines for food service businesses.
Pub Guidelines Arriving Soon
Fáilte Ireland also revealed that its guidelines for pubs, which will apply to pubs, gastropubs and bars, will be published in the coming days.
The guidelines will state that pubs that serve food and meet other features expected of a restaurant may reopen from June 29. However, any food offering will be required to be a substantial meal. The national tourism development authority said that as defined by the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1962, "the meal is such as might be expected to be served as a main midday or evening meal or as a main course in either such meal", and will be required to be of a kind for which it would be reasonable to charge not less than €9.
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