Some local businesses opting not to reopen indoor dining

Indoor dining across the country is set to resume on Monday, July 26, with President Michael D Higgins having signed the Health Amendment Bill into law on Wednesday.

The new measures will allow those who are vaccinated against Covid-19, or have recently recovered from the virus, and their children to eat and drink indoors.

Under new guidelines there will be no limit on the length of time customers can remain in a premises. Face coverings will have to be worn by customers moving around indoors, and both digital and paper vaccine certificates will be accepted on entry.

There will be no bar service, and a maximum of six people will be allowed to eat at one table indoors.

Despite getting the go-ahead to reopen, some businesses in Offaly are choosing to remain closed.

Posting on social media, management at the Phoenix Bar in Tullamore said that “we have decided not to offer any indoor service for the time being.”

“We feel uncomfortable leaving out a huge section of the population. We will continue to offer our outdoor service to all.

“Enhancements are currently planned for our outdoor areas and work will begin this week to further improve them,” the post continued.

“We do not judge any pub who chooses to open indoors under the proposed new rules and realise we are fortunate enough to have a large outdoor area and can still accommodate many people.

“We will possibly review this stance in the near future but for now there is no need for certs or QR codes etc.”

In another post on social media, Maunsell's Dining Pub & Off Licence in Tullamore said that after careful consideration it too will not proceed with indoor dining on Monday as it is not in the best interest of unvaccinated staff.

“The health and safety of our staff and customers is our first priority,” the post continued.

“In addition, the ongoing uncertainty around the new indoor operating regulations is also unhelpful as we’re being told it could be Friday before we’re issued with the details.

“In our view it seems unfair to expect any business to be able to put procedures in place at such short notice.

“Furthermore there’s a concern that the proposed system may turn out to be problematic for staff to deal with on a day to day basis.”

The business will continue to operate its food and drinks service in its revamped outside area and said they look forward to seeing customers in the coming weeks.

However, other businesses in the county have decided to reopen indoor dining on Monday, including the Anvil Inn in Portarlington which posted on Facebook:

“We apologise to customers for the delay in resumption of our homemade dinners but, due to uncertainty surrounding restrictions and construction on Main Street, we didn’t feel we were in the safest position to resume dining.

“Looking forward to greeting you on July 26th with our full menu and full opening hours.”

Pauline’s Restaurant in Edenderry also took to Facebook to announce its reopening:

“We cannot wait to welcome you all back and we want to say a big thank you for the amazing response to our new online booking system!”

The restaurant urged customers to keep an eye on its social media channels for further updates and announcements.