Nightclubs to close early on Boxing Day
Stormont ministers have agreed to new restrictions for Northern Ireland
Last updated 22nd Dec 2021
After a lengthy Executive meeting about the next steps to combat the spread of Omicron, it has emerged that nightclubs in NI will have to close from December 26th at 6am.
While no widespread shutdown of sectors of the economy or society are expected, ministers are expected to discuss further restrictions.
Other restrictions expected to be discussed -
- Hospitality restrictions - rule of six and table service
- Guidance on limiting household mixing
- Social distancing and Covid testing for offices
- Retail - Capacity limits, one way systems and screening
- How to spend extra £100 million
During a visit to a new vaccination centre at the Titanic Exhibition Centre in east Belfast on Tuesday, Health Minister Robin Swann declined to "pre-empt" any announcements that may be made.
However, he confirmed there will be "additional asks" of the public.
"What I will say is I think it has to be a joint united message that comes out of the Executive tomorrow in regards of the asks that we may have to make of the people of Northern Ireland, because we have always been clear that we'll not boost our way out of the Omicron and the threat of what is actually in front of us at this minute in time," he said.
Further restrictions for NI this Christmas were confirmed:
The below restrictions will be in place from 26th December - Ministers are expected to meet again on December 30th to review the steps
Nightclubs remain closed
Contact in domestic settings is limited to three households
Customers are required to remain seated in hospitality settings, a maximum of 6 people, or 10 people from a single household is allowed at a table. (Children aged 12 and under are not counted in the total. This requirement does not apply to weddings or civil partnership celebrations.)
Indoor seated and all outdoor events can proceed and it is strongly recommended that face coverings should be worn, LFD tests should be taken before attending events and there should be no multi-household travel in the same vehicle.
The 'work from home' message is encouraged and legislation introduced to require social distancing in workplace. Employers are encouraged to have lateral flow testing procedures for staff coming to work.
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