Restaurants and pubs serving food could be allowed to open as early as December 4, The Irish Examiner understands. However, wet pubs and pubs which don't have a working kitchen are unlikely to be able to open this year. Nphet also advised that a choice should be made between relaxing the rules on household visits and allowing the hospitality sector to reopen, but the Government is expected to allow both, with household visits allowed in Christmas week. However, pub owners have said that there is no logical basis to disqualify wet pubs. "The Government can’t hide behind NPHET now if they decide to single out the ‘wet’ pubs and keep them closed," said Mr O'Keeffe.

Source: Irish Examiner November 27, 2020 11:19 UTC