Stormont ministers meet to review Christmas covid restrictions

Author: Chelsie Kealey and Emma DicksonPublished 30th Dec 2021

The Stormont Executive will meet virtually today (Thursday) to discuss the latest Covid-19 data.

Ministers will also assess the current restrictions which came into force across Northern Ireland on Boxing day and the day after.

From December 26th, nightclubs were ordered to close, with indoor standing events no longer permitted.

Meanwhile, since December 27th a maximum of six people can only be seated together in a bar or restaurant, with table service only permitted.

Customers are only allowed to move between toilets or to the till.

Under the new measures, people are also being asked to limit their social contacts, with the public being advised that only three households should mix together in a private home.

Employers and employees are also being asked to work from home where possible, with two-metre social distancing a requirement in any office setting.

Last week Stormont ministers agreed on a £40 million grant scheme, to support hospitality businesses affected by the latest Covid-19 restrictions.

Grants of between £10,000 and £20,000 will be available to more than 3,200 eligible businesses.

Eligible businesses include nightclubs, restaurants, cafes, coffee shops, bistros, snack bars, pubs/bars, social clubs or private members' clubs.

Sporting clubhouses are not eligible.

There have been no changes to the numbers of people allowed to attend sporting events.

Health officials in Northern Ireland are appealing to people to get a booster jab before the end of the year.

Patricia Donnelly, head of the Northern Ireland vaccination programme, urged people not to wait to get the booster jab amid ongoing concerns about the impact of the Omicron variant.

Ms Donnelly said: "Our great vaccination teams will be hard at work once again this week, providing boosters to as many people as possible.

"There are so many opportunities across Northern Ireland for people to get their booster dose before the start of the new year.

Find your nearest available vaccination centre ⬇️

Royal Victoria Hospital Vaccination Centre

The Vaccination Centre at the Royal Victoria Hospital is open 8am – 8.30pm every day, with the following exceptions over the Christmas holiday period:

Friday 24th Dec 10am - 2pm
Saturday 25th Dec CLOSED
Sunday 26th Dec CLOSED

Normal hours resume on Monday 27 December from 8am – 8.30pm. Hours will also be slightly reduced for New Year:

Friday 31st Dec 8am - 2pm
Saturday 1st Jan 10am - 2pm

Normal hours resume on Sunday 2 January from 8am – 8.30pm

Knockbracken Hall Vaccination Hub

The Vaccination Hub at Knockbracken Hall is open 9am – 6pm every day, with the following exceptions over the Christmas holiday period:

Friday 24th Dec 10am - 2pm
Sat 25th Dec - CLOSED
Sun 26th Dec - CLOSED

Normal hours resume on Monday 27 December from 9am – 6pm. Hours will also be slightly reduced for New Year:

Friday 31st Dec 9am - 2pm
Saturday 1st Jan 10am - 2pm
Normal hours resume on Sunday 2 January from 9am – 6pm.

Great Hall at Queen’s University Belfast Vaccination Hub

The Vaccination Hub in the Great Hall at Queen's University Belfast is open 10am – 5pm every day, with the following exceptions over the Christmas holiday period:

Friday 24th Dec - CLOSED
Saturday 25th Dec - CLOSED
Sunday 26th Dec - CLOSED

Normal hours resume on Monday 27 December from 10am – 5pm. Hours will also be slightly reduced for New Year:

Friday 31st Dec - CLOSED
Saturday 1st Jan - CLOSED

Normal hours resume on Sunday 2 January from 10am – 5pm.

South Lake Leisure Centre

Friday 24th Dec CLOSED
Saturday 25th Dec - CLOSED
Sunday 26th Dec - CLOSED
Monday 27th Dec 8.15am - 8pm (last walk in 7pm)
Tuesday 28th Dec 8.15am - 8pm (last walk in 7pm)
Wednesday 29th Dec 8.15am - 8pm (last walk in 7pm)
Thursday 30th Dec 8am - 8pm (last walk in 7pm)
Friday 31st Dec - CLOSED
Saturday 1st Jan - CLOSED
Sunday 2nd Jan 8.15am - 8pm (last walk in 7pm)

Newry Leisure Centre

Friday 24th Dec - CLOSED
Saturday 25th Dec - CLOSED
Sunday 26th Dec - CLOSED
Monday 27th Dec 9am - 8pm (last walk in 7pm)
Tuesday 28th Dec 9am - 8pm (last walk in 7pm)
Wednesday 29th Dec 9am - 8pm (last walk in 7pm)
Thursday 30th Dec 9am - 8pm (last walk in 7pm)
Friday 31st Dec - CLOSED
Saturday 1st Jan - CLOSED
Sunday 2nd Jan - CLOSED

Foyle Arena

Friday 24th Dec - CLOSED
Sat 25th Dec - CLOSED
Sunday 26th Dec - CLOSED
Monday 27th Dec 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 28th Dec 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 29th Dec 9am - 5pm
Thursday 30th Dec 9am - 5pm
Friday 31st Dec 9am - 12pm
Saturday 1st Jan - CLOSED
Sunday 2nd Jan 9am - 5pm

Omagh Leisure Complex

Friday 24th Dec - CLOSED
Saturday 25th Dec - CLOSED
Sunday 26th Dec - CLOSED
Monday 27th Dec 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 28th Dec 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 29th Dec - CLOSED
Thursday 30th Dec - CLOSED
Friday 31st Dec - CLOSED
Saturday 1st Jan - CLOSED
Sunday 2nd Jan - CLOSED

Lakeland Forum

Friday 24th Dec - CLOSED
Saturday 25th Dec - CLOSED
Sunday 26th Dec - CLOSED
Monday 27th Dec - CLOSED
Tuesday 28th Dec - CLOSED
Wednesday 29th Dec 11am - 5pm
Thursday 30th Dec 9am - 12pm
Friday 31st Dec 9am - 12pm
Saturday 1st Jan - CLOSED
Sunday 2nd January 9am - 5pm

Seven Towers Leisure Centre, Ballymena

Friday 24th Dec - CLOSED
Saturday 25th Dec - CLOSED
Sunday 26th Dec - CLOSED
Monday 27th Dec 9.30am - 5pm (last walk in at 4pm)
Tuesday 28th Dec 9.30am - 8pm (last walk in at 6pm)
Wednesday 29th Dec 9.30am - 8pm (last walk in at 6pm)
Thursday 30th Dec 9.30am - 8pm (last walk in at 6pm)
Friday 31st Dec 9.30am - 5pm (last walk in at 4pm)
Saturday 1st Jan - CLOSED
Sunday 2nd Jan 9.30am - 5pm (last walk in at 4pm)

Antrim Forum

Friday 24th Dec - CLOSED
Saturday 25th Dec - CLOSED
Sunday 26th Dec - CLOSED
Monday 27th Dec - CLOSED
Tuesday 28th Dec 9.30am - 4.30pm
Wednesday 29th Dec 9.30am - 4.30pm
Thursday 30th Dec 9.30am - 4.30pm
Friday 31st Dec 9.30am - 4pm
Saturday 1st Jan - CLOSED
Sunday 2nd Jan 9.30am - CLOSED

Meadowbank, Magherafelt

Friday 24th Dec - CLOSED
Saturday 25th Dec - CLOSED
Sunday 26th Dec - CLOSED
Monday 27th Dec - CLOSED
Tuesday 28th Dec - CLOSED
Wednesday 29th Dec - CLOSED
Thursday 30th Dec - CLOSED
Friday 31st Dec - CLOSED
Saturday 1st Jan - CLOSED
Sunday 2nd Jan 9.30am - 4.30pm

Ulster Hospital Vaccination Centre (APPOINTMENTS ONLY)

Friday 24th Dec 8am - 2pm
Saturday 25th Dec - CLOSED
Sunday 26th Dec - CLOSED
Monday 27th Dec - CLOSED
Tuesday 28th Dec - CLOSED
Wednesday 29th Dec - CLOSED
Thursday 30th Dec - CLOSED
Friday 31st Dec - CLOSED
Saturday 1st Jan - CLOSED
Sunday 2nd Jan - CLOSED

Lisburn PCCC, Lagan Valley Hospital

Appointments only from 28th December

Friday 24th Dec 9.30am - 2pm
Saturday 25th Dec - CLOSED
Sunday 26th Dec - CLOSED
Monday 27th Dec - CLOSED
Tuesday 28th Dec 9.30am - 7pm
Wednesday 29th Dec 9.30am - 2pm
Thursday 30th Dec 9.30am - 2pm
Friday 31st Dec 9.30am - 2pm
Saturday 1st Jan - CLOSED
Sunday 2nd Jan - CLOSED

TEC Belfast MASS VACCINATION CENTRE

Friday 24th Dec 8am - 2pm
Saturday 25th Dec - CLOSED
Sunday 26th Dec - CLOSED
Monday 27th Dec 8am - 8pm
Tuesday 28th Dec 8am - 8pm
Wednesday 29th Dec 8am - 8pm
Thursday 30th Dec 8am - 8pm
Friday 31st Dec 8am - 2pm
Saturday 1st Jan - CLOSED
Sunday 2nd Jan 8am - 8pm

Read more:

Public urged to use COVID-19 testing only when needed

Three men dead after two-vehicle crash in Co Tyrone

Financial package for covid-hit businesses revealed

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