Stormont agrees to lift more lockdown restrictions

The Executive will still need to rubber stamp the changes at next week’s meeting

Members of the public enjoy a drink at a bar in Belfast.
Author: Chelsie KealeyPublished 13th May 2021

The Northern Ireland Executive has agreed to a number of lockdown relaxations following a lengthy meeting today (Thursday).

The agreed relaxations are:

  • 1,000 fans will be allowed to attend the Irish Cup final in Lurgan on May 21. Those attending the ticketed test event will have to have a negative covid test first.
  • Stormont ministers have also committed to the reopening of the indoor hospitality industry on May 24, with mitigations in place, subject to a review on May 20.
  • Also from May 24, 500 spectators should be allowed allowed at sports events and inter-school sports events.
  • From June 21, restrictions are to be removed on audiences in seated theatres, concert halls and other venues.

It is understood that international travel was talked about, but ministers have not arrived at a decision. It is hoped NI will follow England’s lead and adopt a similar traffic light system.

Check out a full breakdown on relaxations:

May 24th

The 'stay local' messaged will be removed

May 24th

Indoor visits with will be allowed
• 6 people from no more than 2 households
• Does not include children under 12
• Can be more if household has more than 6, but not more than 10
• Overnight stays permitted

May 24th

Indoor hospitality with table service only may reopen
• The number of individuals at a table should not exceed 10
• Face coverings must be worn if you leave your table
• There should be no live music or dancing
• Social distancing should be maintained

May 24th

Resume indoor group exercise and training in numbers limited to suit the venue
• Social distancing
• Risk assessment to maximum capacity
• All contact details must be taken and retained

May 24th

Reopening the remainder of Tourist accommodation
• All contact details must be taken and retained
• Rooms/accommodation area booking in line with the permission re indoor domestic settings/bubbles
• Shared facilities will reopen
• Meeting rooms will be reopened - capacity will be to risk assessment maximum.

May 24th

500 spectators should be allowed allowed at sports events and inter-school sports events.

May 24th

This includes amusement arcades, bingo halls, museums, galleries and cinemas.
• Social distancing
• Risk assessment to maximum capacity
• All contact details must be taken and retained

May 24th

The resumption of post-wedding ceremony receptions or functions


• Risk assessment for capacity
• No restriction on top table
• Other tables maximum of ten (no household restriction)
• Children under 12 excluded from table numbers
• One dance permitted for the couple
• Music same as for licensed venues

May 24th

Ministers have agreed a 'green list' of countries where people can travel to without having to quarantine on their return.

June 21st

Theatres, concerts, conferences and exhibitions can reopen (risk assessed)

Take a look back at NI's Covid-19 journey:

Boris Johnson announces national lockdown

After a troubled Christmas period, Boris Johnson started the year by giving a televised address to the nation instructing everyone to "stay at home" for a third time. By this date, nearly 70,000 cases were diagnosed daily in the UK, with much of the England in lockdown-style Tier 4. During his speech, he noted that the country had to band together before vaccines could provide proper protection. He encouraged people to join together in a national effort to fight the virus, concluding with the by now well-known strap line: "stay at home, protect our NHS and save lives".

Clap for Carers

Three days after the Prime Minister introduced the stay at home restrictions, people around the UK came out onto their doorsteps at 8pm to clap in recognition of the carers who were fighting the virus on the frontline. This Clap for Carers took place every Thursday at 8pm for 10 weeks.

NHS Rainbows

NHS Rainbows thanking the staff who battled the virus on the front line popped up in windows across the country. The pictures aimed to bring hope and positivity when people were struggling.

Captain Tom Moore makes history

99-year old Captain Tom Moore completed 100 laps of his garden on 16 April 2020 ahead of his 100th birthday, eventually raising over £30 million for the NHS. He was knighted by the Queen in honour of his achievements and was named a pandemic hero by the public. He sadly died at the age of 100 in January 2021.

Testing Covid-19 vaccines

At the end of April 2020 Oxford University launched a trial testing a potential Covid-19 on human participants.

First easing of restrictions

Restrictions in each devolved nation started to ease for the first time in early summer 2020. Despite each country moving at a different pace with slightly different rules, measures were slowly relaxed to allow people to meet outside and even to permit small groups to gather inside. Businesses also reopened in a Covid secure manner.

Tiers system

Each nation in the UK took a different approach to managing the ongoing crisis. In October 2020, Boris Johnson introduced a three tier system in England, by which areas were assigned tiers as according to their rates of Covid-19. The tiers were divided into Medium, High and Very High and restrictions varied by level.
Meanwhile, an extended October break for schools was announced in Northern Ireland as well as the closure of businesses including bars, pubs, restaurants and hairdressers as cases continued to rise.

Eat Out To Help Out Scheme

More than 2.7 million meals were claimed in NI as part of the government's Eat Out to Help Out scheme. The initiative gave diners up to £10 off their restaurant bills from Monday to Wednesday during August. It was designed to encourage people to go out and support the hospitality sector, which was among the hardest hit by the coronavirus lockdown.

First vaccine

In December, 90-year-old Margaret Keenan became the first person in the world to receive a Covid-19 vaccine outside of a clinical trial, marking a momentous moment in the world's fight the defeat the pandemic.

Christmas plans change

Northern Ireland reduced the planned five days of Christmas bubbling to one day only and introduced a national lockdown from boxing day.

January lockdowns

The stay at home message was reintroduced from Boxing Day 2020 to 6th February, and was then extended to 1st April in Northern Ireland

100,000 deaths

The UK's Covid-19 death toll officially reached 100,000 on 26 January 2021. This statistic was based on those with Covid-19 on their death certificate and does not include deaths caused by issues related to the impact of the pandemic.

Captain Sir Tom Moore dies with Covid-19

Captain Sir Tom Moore, who raised millions for the NHS during the pandemic, died with Covid-19 in February at the age of 100. To recognise the national treasure, Prime Minister Boris Johnson led a nation wide clap in the veteran's honour.

Roadmap out of lockdown

In early March this year, Northern Ireland's roadmap out of lockdown was agreed by the Executive. Their blueprint focused on nine key areas, including education and retail, with the hope of slowly easing social restrictions. Ministers made clear that their 'Pathway to Recovery' would be led by data - not dates! Decisions on when to move between stages is based on scientific and medical evidence, not the calendar.

SSE Arena mass vaccination site

The car park at the SSE Arena Belfast was already being used as a Covid-19 testing facility and now the arena is being used to administer around 40,000 vaccines per week.

Read More:

One more Covid death in NI

Lockdown restrictions looking likely to be lifted as NI makes 'good progress'

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