Ireland to reopen nightclubs from October 22nd

  • Share
  • A pilot clubbing event will also take place in September.
  • Ireland to reopen nightclubs from October 22nd image
  • Nightclubs in Ireland will be able to operate fully from October 22nd, the government has confirmed. A four-stage reopening plan was approved by the cabinet yesterday, August 31st, meaning that "high risk activities" like nightclubs will be able to open again from October 22nd, The Irish Times reports. A pilot nightclub event is also set to take place later in September, details TBA. That said, the October date is dependent on the success of the vaccine rollout. Over 90 percent of over-16s will need to be vaccinated for the restrictions to lift. On August 30th, prime minister Micheál Martin confirmed that 88.1 percent of over-18s are now fully vaccinated. From today, September 1st, public transport will return to full capacity. From September 6th, venues must operate at 60 percent capacity for those who are vaccinated, and 50 percent for those who are not. Live music will return to weddings, and conferences and exhibitions with external audiences can restart. Live indoor music events will need to be fully seated. All being well, all remaining restrictions—including social distancing and capacity limits on all indoor or outdoor events and activities—will lift on October 22nd, except for mask-wearing in healthcare settings, indoor shops and on public transport. Self-isolating will also be mandatory if you develop symptoms. In August, the Give Us The Night campaign—cofounded by Dublin-based DJ Sunil Sharpe—wrote an open letter to prime minister Micheál Martin, deputy prime minister Leo Varadkar and the minister for tourism, culture and arts, Catherine Martin, asking that the hospitality and late-night sector be reopened as soon as possible to prevent further job loss and business closures.
RA