In a bid to stem cases of Covid-19, pubs and restaurants across Northern Ireland will be forced to once again close their doors.
The new closures are expected to last for four weeks, beginning this Friday (October 16).
The new, tighter restrictions have been imposed after health officials had warned infections would rise further if both schools and hospitality premises remained open.
Announced live from Stormont this morning, the following measures will come into force on Friday (October 16):
- Closure of the entire hospitality sector (including pubs and restaurants), apart from deliveries and takeaways
- Other fast-food and takeaway premises to close at 11pm
- Off-licences and supermarkets are not allowed to sell alcohol after 8pm
- No indoor sport or organised contact sport involving mixing of households, other than at elite level
- Close-contact services – apart from those meeting essential health needs – to close
- Mobile hairdressers and make-up artists – also classed as close contact services – prohibited from working in homes
- Gyms to remain open for individual training but no classes permitted
- Places of worship to remain open but face coverings mandatory when entering and exiting
The current restrictions on household mixing are expected to remain as they are – meaning no mixing of households in private homes – with exceptions including those joined in social bubbles – and gatherings in gardens limited to six people from no more than two households.
When pushed on what support would be available to help business affected by the upcoming closures, the First Minister said: “We will be putting supports in place… tomorrow the executive will discuss the systems that will be put in place and I hope we will be able to sign off on them…. we need to support our businesses, our employees as they go through this most difficult of time.”
