Nine local pubs inspected by Gardai over the weekend

A total of nine pubs/hotels were inspected in the district over the weekend and “all were fully compliant” with the new Covid-19 guidelines, according to Athlone Gardai.

From Monday last, June 29, pubs serving food were allowed to reopen once they observed the measures set out in the Fáilte Ireland document in relation to reopening. These included the need for a booking, customers can only keep your table for 105 minutes, you must eat a substantial meal worth €9 and over, the pub must operate table service with no queueing at the bar or socialising away from your table.

Speaking to the Westmeath Independent on Monday, Sgt Andrew Haran from Athlone Garda Station confirmed that eight of the premises inspected were in Athlone, with a further one in Moate, and he reported all were obeying the rules.

Among the measures officers were checking for included the need for hostelries to keep booking details to allow for contact tracing, ensuring social distancing was being observed, and overall pub management in terms of the behaviour of their clientele. Further follow-up inspections are planned over the coming weeks, he added.

Despite widespread fears beforehand that pubs without restaurant licences would reopen en-masse, this has not happened in Athlone, Sgt Haran pointed out, saying that he is not aware of any who have done so.

Pubs not serving food are due to open their doors on July 20.