Revealed: This is how pubs in Northern Ireland might look when lockdown is lifted

The Stormont Executive has not yet committed to a date when it will start to ease social distancing measures but one guarantee is that there will be significant changes to the way in which we socialise in pubs and clubs in Northern Ireland.

Pub landlords in the Republic of Ireland find themselves in a similar situation to their Northern Ireland counterparts.

On Monday, the the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland (VFI) and Licensed Vintners’ Association (LVA) sent a letter to the Irish government.

The letter set out a variety of measures that if deployed properly could see pubs open sooner than the predicted date of mid-August.

The VFI and the LVA both described the proposed changes as "radical" and as addressing the concern many may have over transmission of COVID-19.

It is very likely that any measures introduced by pub landlords in the Republic of Ireland could be replicated in Northern Ireland.

Here are a few of the pub changes put forward by VFI and LVA:

• Bars will become dispense bars only with no sitting, standing, ordering, payment or drinking at the bar allowed.

• Table service will be a requirement with pubs only serving customers seated at tables.

• The numbers on the premises would be confined to no more than four per every 10 square metres.

• A maximum of six people would be permitted at any one table.

• Customers will be required to use hand sanitiser upon entry.

• All customers must remain seated.

• Staff will be fully trained in the new procedures. They will also be asked to maintain a safe distance from customers when taking orders and to wash their hands thoroughly every 30 minutes.

• The utilisation of outdoor spaces to enhance social distancing.

• Procedures implemented to ensure safe use of toilet facilities, which may include limits on the numbers using toilets at any one time.

• No live music or DJs.

• Police and Ireland's Health Service Executive (HSE) will have the power to close any business who is flouting the public health guidelines.