THE NATIONAL Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) are meeting today to confirm whether or not pubs should be allowed to fully reopen this month.
As part of Ireland's roadmap to lifting lockdown, the initial date to reopen all pubs across the country was penned in for July 20.
Around half the country's pubs have been opened for a week-and-a-half, but only those who can provide customers with a substantial meal of over €9.
It's been speculated that the July 20 date to reopen the remaining pubs could be pushed back after worrying scenes from city and town centres across Ireland appearing to show revellers failing to adhere to social distancing rules while drinking.
The NPHET will meet today to discuss the latest coronavirus findings and make a final decision on whether to give the green light for a full reopening.
A formal announcement of their decision isn't expected until late next week however.
Gardai revealed on Thursday that 26 pubs across the country were found to breaching safety guidelines at the weekend.
There are also fears that with travel restrictions also being lifted, the spread of Covid-19 could be amplified by allowing people to gather in pubs and travel in and out of the country for the first time in months.
There has been a significant rise in the number of travel-related coronavirus cases in the Republic, which has lead many, including professor Ruairí Brugha, to call for pubs to completely close once more.
See More: NPHET, Pubs, Pubs In Ireland, Pubs Reopening
