New guidelines for the opening of hospitality to be released imminently.
The biggest change in the guidelines is the expected reduction of social distancing from two metres down to one metre.
This new rules aims to increase the customer capacity of restaurants and pubs, boosting business for owners.
It is expected that there will no longer be a time limit on customers which according to Chief Executive of the Licensed Vintners Association, Donall O'Keeffe. will benefit pub and restaurant owners as well as patrons:
"People want to spend time in pubs, they want to relax' spend time with friends. The previous time limit was very artificial, it worked against the pub experience."
The required €9 minimum meal is also reported to be scrapped under the new guidelines, pub goers will no longer be required to eat when going out for drinks when pubs opens next month.
The implementation of this rule when pubs reopened last summer was very controversial.
"It was a ridiculous, artificial divide between traditional pubs and pubs that serve food, it made no sense last year and we're glad it's gone," said O'Keeffe adding "The fact that people have the option now is a welcome development."
Hotels are set to reopen on the 2nd of June, with outdoor dining opening on the 7th.
While Government has said it expects to allow indoor hospitality to commence in July.
