Irish pubs update: The surprising rule change to be aware of as bars and nightclubs fully reopen

Irish pubs, bars and nightclubs have faced a nightmare two years since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Restrictions on the hospitality sector were as strict as almost anywhere else, and they experienced extended closures.

However Taoiseach Micheal Martin's address to the nation last week finally offered a return to normality, as he lifted the majority of emergency Covd-19 measures.

This allowed pubs to remove social distancing requirements, as well as a the limit on six people per table and the need to show a Digital Covid pass to dine indoors.

One of the only rules to remain in place was the requirement to wear face masks in almost every area that you were previously expected to.

This includes on public transport, in schools and on retail premises such as shopping centres, libraries, cinemas, theatres, museums, post offices and banks.

Ronan Brown, ownrer of the Admiral's Pub in Drogheda. (Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin)

However the Licensed Vintners Association (LVA), the representative body for publicans of Dublin, recently cleared up some confusion on the use of face coverings in the hospitality sector.

They confirmed that masks are now only obligatory for staff in customer facing roles.

They added that members of the public can now "make their own decisions", and there is no requirement to wear a face covering while walking around a pub.

The LVA wrote on Twitter: "Still a lot of queries about face masks in pubs/ other hospitality venues.

"Since the 22 Jan 2022, the new rules are:

"- Must be worn by staff in customer facing roles.

"- Customers/ public can make their own decisions but wearing them no longer required indoors."

Here is a full list of settings where mask wearing is still required:

• public transport, taxis and at stations/airports/ports
• retail premises (including shopping centres, libraries, cinemas, theatres, museums, post offices, banks), public offices and at premises providing specified services and businesses (incl. salons, hairdressers, travel agents, laundries, dry cleaners, bookmakers)
• customer facing roles in premises where food and beverages are sold for consumption on the premises

• Schools and early learning and care facilities