Anyone going to a nightclub from Friday will need to have a ticket at least an hour in advance.

New regulations from the Department of Culture say the electronic ticket will be needed, along with a photo ID and a Digital COVID-19 Certificate for entry.

Tickets must be purchased or acquired at least one hour before arrival, and must contain details - such as a name and telephone number - to allow for contract tracing.

The guidelines say re-selling or exchanging tickets is not permitted, but tickets can be cancelled and then re-allocated by the venue manager.

While it adds that no record should be kept of a person's immunity status, a record should be kept of all checks undertaken.

Face masks should be worn in all indoor venues at all times by staff and customers - except when customers are dancing, drinking or eating.

Congregation at counters or bars is not permitted and queues must be managed, orderly and socially distant.

Bar service can operate in nightclubs with one-metre social distancing for ordering, paying for or collecting food and drinks.

But consumption of food and drinks is not permitted at counters.

HSA inspections

The department says live entertainment and nightclub venues may be subject to inspection by a compliance officer from the Health Service Executive and/or the Health and Safety Authority (HSA).

Those who get their electronic ticket while already inside a premises can stay - as long as they can demonstrate they have a ticket, and all contact tracing and proof of immunity requirements have been met.

Proper ventilation and hand washing facilities must be in place, as well as avoiding congregation outside venues.

While it adds that smoking areas "may require monitoring and management" to prevent overcrowding.

It also notes that live event artists and their teams "have a responsibility" to follow all necessary guidelines and procedures.

And it says people attending live events should not be encouraged "to breach event protocols and/or increase the risk of the spread of the virus" through loud chanting or singing.

Outdoor events

For outdoor events, proof of immunity for entry is not required.

Mask wearing is necessary for workers where two-metre distancing cannot be maintained.

And the guidelines say masks are encouraged outdoor, but not mandatory, for people in congested areas and when queuing.

Officials from the Departments of Culture met with industry representatives earlier to discuss the conditions of re-opening for the live entertainment and nightclub sector.

These discussions followed briefings last week with industry representatives.

The Government says it wants to move forward with this phase of re-opening, but warns COVID-19 still represents "a very real threat".

It adds that the aim of these measures is to "balance this new re-opening phase with public health considerations."