Tight new hospitality rules in Northern Ireland

Special Desk

Schools will close from Monday and pubs and restaurants face new restrictions from Friday evening, in a bid to check spread of Covid-19 in Northern Ireland.

First Minister Arlene Foster has said the moves are among new restrictions being imposed by the executive. It comes as the Department of Health recorded a further 1,217 cases and four more deaths with Covid-19.

Hospitality businesses will be limited to takeaway and delivery services for four weeks from Friday onwards till further orders. Health officials had warned infections would rise further if both schools and hospitality premises remained open. On Wednesday, the Department of Health said it had recorded 23,115 cases of Covid-19 in Northern Ireland in total. The further four coronavirus-linked deaths takes the department’s death toll to 602.

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The executive has agreed schools will close for two weeks, including the half-term holiday, until Monday 2 November, when their closure will be reviewed. Foster outlined the changes in a statement to assembly members.

The new rules say closure of the hospitality sector, apart from deliveries and takeaways. Other fast-food and takeaway premises to close at 11 at night. Off-licences and supermarkets not to sell alcohol after 8 pm. No indoor sport or organised contact sport involving mixing of households, other than at elite level.

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No mass events involving more than 15 people (except for allowed outdoor sporting events where the relevant number for that will continue to apply). Close-contact services such as hairdressers and beauticians to close – apart from those relating to the continuation of essential health interventions and therapeutics.

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.