Indoor dining to resume on Monday for fully vaccinated and those recovered from Covid-19

​The Cabinet has agreed that indoor service in bars and restaurants can resume on Monday 26 July for those who are fully vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19.

President Michael D Higgins earlier signed the legislation underpinning the guidelines into law.

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The guidelines will mean no time limits for customers, and closing time will be set at 11.30pm.

An app will be developed by the Government to allow business owners to check customers' Covid certificates at the door of a pub or restaurant.

Up to six people will be allowed sit at tables that must be kept one-metre apart.

Speaking on his way into Cabinet, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the vaccine programme is rolling out very effectively.

He said people need to be vigilant in the coming weeks, adding, "we have all got to adhere to the guidelines no matter how tired we are of this pandemic".

Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Michael McGrath said the rules will not come as any great surprise to the sector.

But, he said, it will be a significant change for them and it is not the type of reopening that they might have envisaged a few weeks ago.

Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said she had spoken to the Taoiseach about how people from Northern Ireland could have their Covid-19 vaccines recognised when the new regulations take effect.

​Alan Grehan, manager of the Sprezzatura restaurant in Dublin, said he believes the country is in a very different place and there is a greater understanding of Covid-19, which allows for better mitigation factors to prevent infection be put in place for indoor hospitality.

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