Pubs face the risk of prosecution and losing their licences over potential breaches of health regulations brought in to curb the spread of coronavirus, Irish police have said.
The 26 pubs found to be in potential breach of guidelines represent 1% of the 2,785 premises which reopened last weekend, when bars serving food were allowed to trade again as part of the country’s gradual easing of lockdown.
In many of the venues, police found customers consuming alcohol but no evidence of food also being consumed and evidence of receipts to show that food had been sold.
Officers also observed a lack of adherence to public health advice, such as large groups being allowed to sit at one table, little to no social distancing, no advisory signage and no Covid-19 contact tracing information being recorded.
Police have since submitted a file to the director of public prosecutions for direction as to how to proceed.
Leave a Comment