GARDAI have issued a warning that checks will be carried out on pubs to make sure coronavirus-restrictions are in place and that public health guidelines are being adhered to.
Ireland is now almost at the end of its first week into Phase Three of the Government's lockdown exit strategy roadmap, which began on Monday.
Part of the plan permits pubs to open so long as they are able to serve a 'substantial meal', one that costs at least €9.
But while many pubs around the country have had their doors open for five days already, tomorrow will be the first weekend Irish folk around the country will have access to boozers, and gardai have said they'll be making sure people aren't recklessly flouting the rules on social distancing and other similar guidelines.
Pubs have also been allowed to reduce social distancing regulations from two metres to one metre, but must place a 105 minute time limit on customer visits.
Reports have begun to surface over the past few days that some pubs have been disregarding these rules and letting customers stay as long as they please, and allowing people to order drink without also getting food.
On Thursday, Gardai and the Licensed Vintners Association (LVA) issued a joint statement calling on publicans to abide by Government restrictions, including a strict adherence to the regulation that insists each individual drinking alcohol must order a separate meal.
Speaking on Thursday, Assistant Garda Commissioner Anne Marie Cagney asserted: "We will seek to engage and encourage all businesses to follow the guidelines and to do the right thing.
"We will also be undertaking inspections to ensure pubs are respecting the guidelines. Our role is to maintain public order and if there are indications that any such problems are arising we will intervene."
