DRINK FOR HOURS! NEW PUB RULES

Time limits to go, but strict rules to apply in roadmap to opening ‘wet’ pubs

THE proposed reopening of ‘wet’ pubs has come with a number of restrictions – but vintners representatives are generally seeing the glass as half full despite the challenges that lie ahead.

One of the welcomed changes to the way pubs operate, under new guidelines released yesterday, will be the removal of the stipulation that punters must book in advance or stay at their tables for just 105 minutes.

However, pubs must keep a strict two-metre social distance between customers and staff to allow the restrictions to be lifted. Indeed, the table-service-only provision was described by the Licensed Vintners Association as a ‘huge restriction’ for publicans.

The long-awaited draft Government guidelines were drawn up in conjunction with Fáilte Ireland, and are intended to allow all pubs to open later this month.

Currently, only pubs that serve food are open – and only with customer pre-bookings and time slots of 105 minutes per table.

Publicans have welcomed the news that some measures can be relaxed, especially as those fortunate to maintain a two-metre distance throughout their pubs will have the luxury to scrap prebookings and time-limited slots.

Online reservation options will no longer be required but are still being encouraged, as it limits the requirement for queuing.

Publicans will also be required to call time at 11.30pm, which means that late bars and nightclubs will still likely remain closed for the foreseeable future.

The 25-page document, seen by the Irish Daily Mail, puts a strong emphasis on social distancing.

There are numerous rules on cleaning and disinfection, too, as well as the encouraged use of electronic menus, phone apps and menu boards as an alternative to traditional drink menus.

However, there will be further restrictions for smokers.

Customers wishing to have a cigarette break will no longer be able to wander around the smoking area. Instead, they will be required to remain seated in the smoking area and order their drinks from their seats.

Pubs will also be expected to review and alter their smoking area, with the amount of seating reduced to ensure ‘appropriate physical-distancing measures’.

Under the draft guidelines, pubs would keep a record of the arrival times of their customers as well as their contact details. These would be kept for a period of 28 days.

Group numbers would also be limited to six people from no more than three households.

Meanwhile, straws must be individually wrapped and recommendations are in place for the preparation of fruit garnishes used in drinks. ‘Keep garnishes refrigerated and in a covered container until required and serve using tongs/scoop. The scoop must have its own covered receptacle,’ the guidelines state.

The embellishment or decoration of glasses such as ‘cocktail umbrel

‘Huge challenges remain’

las’ must also be minimised. The length of time it takes to order a cup of tea is also expected to dramatically increase as kettles will need to be cleaned and disinfected after each use.

Publicans are also advised to arrange for their beer lines to be cleaned ahead of their reopening ‘as a notice period may be required by breweries or suppliers’.

Enhanced cleaning of beer taps, drip trays and cocktail equipment is also advised, as well as at least twice-daily cleaning of door handles and hand rails.

Customers will also be expected to remember that they will have to use different entry and exit points, but some pubs will have their doors constantly propped open if fire regulations allow. According to Pádraig Cribben, chief executive of the Vintners Federation of Ireland, the guidelines will be ‘onerous’ for publicans to implement, but they will find a way to make them work since they are so desperate to open. ‘Huge challenges remain for the trade, not least making socially distanced pubs a success,’ he said. ‘Right now, we need clarity and certainty on when our members will be allowed open.

‘The guidelines are only useful when we get that opening date.

He added: ‘We need to learn to live alongside the virus. Opening pubs is part of that process.’

Donall O’Keeffe, chief executive of the LVA, said the new guidelines will place a ‘huge restriction’ on the normal way of doing business for pubs.

‘Not being able to use the bar counter with table service only is very significant and will really limit the non-food pubs and how they operate,’ he said.

‘There will be questions over whether or not many of the pubs still closed will be able to open with these guidelines.

‘There is also a real emphasis on social distancing. They are far from ideal, but given that these pubs have been closed for six months, we guess this is the price we will have to pay.’