Ministers to consider more Covid-19 relaxations
It is understood the indictive date being proposed for the further lifting of restrictions is July 26
The Northern Ireland Executive is due to meet later to consider July 26 as the date for further Covid-19 relaxations.
What changes could happen in NI from July 26?
Measures proposed for that date would see theatres and concert halls welcoming back audiences, and conferences and exhibitions resuming, the PA news agency understands.
The limit on gatherings in indoor domestic settings could also potentially increase from six to 10.
A 15-person cap on the size of outdoor domestic gatherings would remain but a five-household limit would be removed.
Household bubbling provisions in the rules would also be dropped.
If Ministers agree to all or some of the proposals at Thursday's virtual meeting , the July 26 date would be indicative and subject to ratification on July 22.
The meeting comes amid rising rates of coronavirus infection in the region.
The rapid spread of the Delta variant, first identified in India, and ongoing efforts to increase vaccine uptake will be key factors in the Ministers' deliberations.
Other proposals earmarked for the end of the month include allowing close contact services to accept walk-in customers without the need for pre-booked appointments.
Restrictions on indoor live music would be relaxed, including an end to a requirement for the sound to be kept to an ambient level.
The proposals would facilitate a full return of live music and dancing at events.
"Green" and "Amber" steps
While most measures under consideration are categorised as lower risk “green'' relaxations, Ministers will also examine the potential for a number of “amber'' steps on July 26 as well.
Those include the end of social distancing requirements for outdoor activities and a reduction of the distance to one metre for relevant indoor settings.
The proposals also include removing the legal requirement to wear face coverings in places of worship.
Another amber measure would see school bubbling and the use of face masks in classrooms removed from guidance ahead of the start of the autumn term.
A further proposal would relax some of the current restrictions on how MoT tests are carried out in Northern Ireland.
The owner of Rosie Joe’s bar in Londonderry, James McCarron, said he thinks people are “crying out” for masks and social distancing to be scrapped.
He said: “Well, delighted for England but, as I say, we have to stand on our own two feet.
“But my understanding would be that they’re all using the same scientists so if it’s good enough for over there it should be- we should be going the same way.
“Personally, I think it’ll be with us for a while but personally we would love to see them without because again, it’s everybody’s own choice – so it’s what they would want to do themselves.
“It’s hopefully trying to get back to as quickly a normality as- whatever normality is again now.
“But, I think people are crying out for no masks and social distancing.
“Interaction with the customers. As I say- we’re in the hospitality industry to interact with people, and everyone is outgoing.
“And it’s just missing that face-to-face interaction with people instead of coming up to a mask that looks so… I don’t know, it just doesn’t look right.
“So the table service- we had actually introduced it on Christmas 2019 to relieve pressure on the bar staff so we were already starting to do that so we probably will keep an element of it as well so that anybody that wants to get table service will get it.”
Read More:
CMO: Feels like 'the depths of winter' in NI hospitals
Michelle O'Neill: England's freedom day plans 'reckless'
Health service facing winter pressures this summer
How to listen to Cool FM:
Tune into Northern Ireland’s number 1 for music, Cool FM on 97.4FM, online, on our Rayo app, your DAB radio, or say ‘Play Cool FM’ on your Smart Speaker. We play you the biggest hits from the world’s hottest artists, from Pete Snodden in the morning to the NI Hit 40.