COVID-19: Stormont confirms easing of some restrictions but not all across Northern Ireland
Last updated 22nd Jul 2021
Just two of the remaining covid restrictions have been lifted following the Stormont Executive meeting today (Thursday).
Ministers agreed to delay final decisions on a series of other planned moves.
What they did agree was that from Monday (July 26) a cap limiting the number of households allowed to participate in 15-person outdoor gatherings will be removed.
Close contact services, such as hairdressers, will also be able to accept walk-in customers from Monday - so need for appointments.
Next week, it is understood the Executive will meet on both Monday and Thursday.
On Monday, ministers will consider whether to give the green light to steps in Northern Ireland considered to be moderate risk.
Those include allowing theatres and concert halls to welcome back audiences - with some mitigation measures in place - and increasing the limit on gatherings in indoor domestic settings from six to 10, from no more than three households.
On Monday, ministers will also consider whether to lift current restrictions on MoT test centres.
If ministers agree to those measures it is understood they would come into effect immediately on Monday.
On Thursday next week, ministers will consider measures considered to be a higher risk.
Those include lifting restrictions on indoor live music, including a proposal to end a requirement for the sound to be kept to an ambient level.
On Thursday, ministers will also examine a proposal to end social-distancing requirements for outdoor activities and reduce the distance to one metre for indoor settings.
The legal requirement on wearing face coverings in places of worship is also set to be reviewed next week.
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