Taoiseach Micheál Martin has announced the further lifting of restrictions relating to nightlife, live music and the wider hospitality industry - leaving out details relating to capacity numbers, particularly in the environment of a nightclub.

Ministers have approved the resumption of normal trading hours in pubs, restaurants and the reopening of nightclubs with restrictions from Friday, October 22nd. Club rules will potentially include limiting numbers and access to those with a Covid vaccine certificate.

The Cabinet met this morning to decide which of the remaining Covid restrictions can be eased from Friday, given the sharp rise in cases and hospital admissions.

In a government document released earlier today, it was confirmed that:

• Specific sectoral guidance will be developed for nightclubs setting out appropriate protective measures.
• This will involve COVID-19 passes, contact tracing data collection and wearing of facemasks except when eating, drinking and dancing

This sectoral guidance is yet to be released. The Taoiseach did confirm to reporters that “what traditionally happens at a nightclub will still happen at a nightclub” – though he didn’t specify exactly what that entailed.

No confirmation on capacity numbers in nightclubs was given this afternoon.

An Taoiseach has conceded that there will be "anomalies" in terms of the difference between treatment of nightclubs and pubs.

In relation to live events, the government confirmed:

• for indoor live music, drama, live entertainment and sporting events audience/spectators should be fully seated (standing permitted at your seat)

This would affect any standing-only events booked in by Irish promoters from 22 October. Covid-19 Digital Certificates will continue be required for indoor activities from Friday.

When asked about reopening nightclubs, Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly said: “What I’m happy to say to you is the advice from NPHET is we can continue, they would advise, continuing with the reopening of society but doing so in a way that’s very cognisant of the disease, with the widespread use of the Covid pass...enforcement and use of the Covid pass.

“Essentially NPHET is saying yes to nightclubs but with conditions around Covid passes and social restrictions.”

If rules are introduced relating to vaccine passports, hundreds of thousands of people who have not yet been fully vaccinated will not be able to gain access to indoors hospitality. There are reportedly around 370,000 people who have yet to be vaccinated or fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

NPHET recommends use of antigen test for fully vaccinated close contacts pic.twitter.com/sQgALjiWZs

— Richard Chambers (@newschambers) October 19, 2021

The latest recommendations from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) which state restrictions such as mask wearing and social distancing shouldn't be removed until February 2022.

Ministers are also considering the enhanced use of antigen testing, potentially for close contacts.

“I have advice from NPHET that antigen testing can be used with fully vaccinated close contacts," Minister Donnelly explained. “At the moment if you’re fully vaccinated and a close contact [of a confirmed case], there is no advice or requirement for you to get any test. Given the current prevalence of the disease, we’re changing that. What will happen now, is if you’re deemed to be a close contact and fully vaccinated, we’ll send you out a rapid test.”

When asked if vaccine passes will stay in place until January 9, Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan told the Irish Mirror: “I think yes. We’ll keep it under review but it does run until then so I presume where we are now, that’s not that far away.”

“There will be anomalies" says Taoiseach when asked about strange issues in difference between treatment of nightclubs and pubs

— Richard Chambers (@newschambers) October 19, 2021

All indications on Monday night were that Ministers will decide to move forward cautiously with the reopening while extending some restrictions.

One nightclub has been allowed to open in Ireland since the onset of the pandemic – a pilot nightclub event for 450 people was held at Dublin’s Button factory on 30 September with antigen testing.

READ: 'We'll live to fight another day': Venue promoters and DJs on transforming Ireland's night-time economy.