What's opening on April 23rd across Northern Ireland
We've been dreaming about this day for months now 🤣
Last updated 19th Apr 2021
After analysing the risks and data, last week Stormont's leaders announced new plans to reopen the country.
Describing it as a "landmark day", the First Minister Arlene Foster said the decisions taken were as a result of the "collective effort" of everyone across Northern Ireland.
“This balanced package of relaxations will restore those familiar aspects of everyday life that have been missed dearly.
“I urge everyone to stay with us and keep following the health advice so that we can continue with our plans to more fully open up our society over coming weeks.”
The Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said: "I'm delighted that we are now in a position to move forward, thanks to the efforts and sacrifices of the public and the success of our vaccination programme."
From Friday 23rd April
💇♀️Hairdressers open their doors
💈Barbers are back
💄Close contact services including beauty and nails are allowed
🦒Outdoor visitor attractions can re-open
🎢Theme parks return
🚗Driving lessons and tests can resume
💧Equine Assisted Therapy and Learning (EATL) on an indoor and outdoor basis with up to 30 people are allowed
⚽Competitive outdoor sports, with participants less than 100 and zero spectators
🎺Static band practice/rehearsals can resume outdoors
An indicative date of May 24 will see licensed and unlicensed premises operating indoors...
Reopening dates you need to pop into your diary:
Hairdressers and beauty salons can reopen
From 23rd April, personal care premises including hairdressers and beauty and nail salons will be permitted to reopen
Outdoor attractions will reopen
Outdoor attractions including zoos, theme parks and outdoor cinemas can reopen from 23rd April
Driving lessons will resume
From 23rd April driving lessons will be allowed to resume, as will theory tests, motorcycle lessons, lorry lessons and tests, car and trailer tests and minibus lessons and tests.
Outdoor sport will return
Outdoor competitive sport will be allowed with numbers not exceeding 100, however spectators are not permitted
Non-essential retail will resume
Non-essential retail can resume from 30th April
Self-contained tourist accommodation
Self-contained accommodation such as campsites and holiday lets where indoor facilities are not shared with other households can also reopen from 30th April
Outdoor hospitality resumes
Licensed and unlicensed premises can serve customers in outdoors settings in groups of six from no more than two householders.
Takeaways and off licences will remain open
Removal of curfews on takeaways and off licenses
Gyms reopen
Indoor leisure facilities such as gyms can reopen from 10th May
Outdoor gatherings increased to 15
Limit on outdoor gatherings in domestic gardens increased to 15 people from no more than three households
Hospitality services can operate indoors
Licensed and unlicensed premises can operate indoors.
Indoor visitor attractions reopen
Small wedding receptions allowed
Weddings and funeral events with up to 30 people may be allowed from May 14th
Indoor dining and drinking
Indoor dining and drinking is expected not get the green light before 1st June
Read more:
Limited availability for 35-39 year olds in NI to book Covid-19 vaccine
NI's compulsory hotel isolation goes live
Hospitality given the go ahead with indicative reopening dates