LATEST: No deaths but 396 new cases of virus confirmed, Kilkenny pubs prepare to reopen for first time in six months

There has neen no further coronavirus-related deaths but 396 new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed this evening.

The overall death toll from the virus remains at 1,792. There are now 32,933 confirmed cases of Covid-19 across the country, according to the latest daily briefing from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET).

The breakdown of the latest cases is as follows: 241 cases are in Dublin, 36 in Cork, 19 in Donegal, 12 in Galway, 11 in Meath, 11 in Kildare, 9 in Monaghan, 7 in Louth, 6 in Clare, 6 in Offaly, 6 in Waterford and 5 in Wicklow, with the remaining 27 cases spread across 11 counties.

Meanwhile, pubs around the country are making final preparations as the restrictions on pubs not serving food are lifted outside of Dublin from tomorrow.

The so-called ‘wet’ pubs will reopen their doors to customers for the first time since the middle of March.

However, the experience will be a rather different one for staff and customers due to stringent guidelines.

There will be limits on customer numbers in every premises. Social distancing measures are mandatory and there will be enhanced cleaning regimes for all surfaces and contact points.

Table service is also mandatory, so ordering or sitting at the bar is a thing of the past,for now. Other guidelines govern noise levels, employee movements and contact tracing.