Restrictions set to ease in Northern Ireland from today

The Northern Irish government has confirmed that the following restrictions will be relaxed from 26^th July:

• At outdoor domestic settings a maximum of 15 people from an unlimited number of households will be permitted. Children aged 12 and under are not counted in the total number.
• Within close contact services the requirement for an appointment will be removed and overlapping appointments will be allowed.

The Northern Irish Cabinet has also agreed that indoor service in bars and restaurants can resume from 26^th July for those who are fully vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19.

Closing time will be set to 11:30pm and an app will be developed by the Government to allow business owners to check customers’ Covid certificated at the entrance to a pub, bar or restaurant.

Further Executive meetings will be held this week regarding issues still awaiting guidance, such as whether theatres and concert halls can welcome back audiences, whether gatherings in indoor domestic settings can be increased from six to 10, as well as the requirement to wear face coverings in places of worship.

For more information on the current rules in Northern Ireland, click here.