No changes to Northern Ireland's current covid-19 restrictions

First Minister Paul Givan shared a message on social media confirming the news

Author: Chelsie Kealey and Emma DicksonPublished 30th Dec 2021
Last updated 30th Dec 2021

The Stormont Executive met virtually today (Thursday) to review the current covid-19 restrictions which came into force across Northern Ireland from Boxing Day.

First Minister Paul Givan shared a message on social media confirming that the NI Executive will not impose any further restrictions.

A tweet reads: "The Northern Ireland Executive has agreed no further restrictions at this time. We will continue to assess the data as more information emerges and meet again on 6th January. Thank you for following the health advice and helping us through this challenging time."

Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill also tweeted a message: "Executive met today to discuss latest COVID-19 developments. Virus is spreading rapidly with Omicron accounting for 90%+ of cases. We will continue to monitor the situation closely. Please take up the booster, limit your contacts with others & stay safe as we work through this."

The self isolation period for positive cases will reduce from 10 days to 7 days subject to negative lateral flow tests on day 6 & 7. This policy will apply retrospectively and takes effect from Friday 31st December.

From Monday 27th December a range of new measures have been introduced to reduce the spread of the Omicron Covid variant.

The new restrictions came a day after nightclubs were force to shut and indoor sanding events were banned.

Current Covid-19 Restrictions ⬇️

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.

Covid-19 vaccinations and booster jabs will continue to be offered throughout the festive season here in Northern Ireland.

Find your nearest vaccination centre ⬇️

Royal Victoria Hospital Vaccination Centre

The Vaccination Centre at the Royal Victoria Hospital is open 8am – 8.30pm every day, with the following exceptions over the Christmas holiday period:

Friday 24th Dec 10am - 2pm
Saturday 25th Dec CLOSED
Sunday 26th Dec CLOSED

Normal hours resume on Monday 27 December from 8am – 8.30pm. Hours will also be slightly reduced for New Year:

Friday 31st Dec 8am - 2pm
Saturday 1st Jan 10am - 2pm

Normal hours resume on Sunday 2 January from 8am – 8.30pm

Knockbracken Hall Vaccination Hub

The Vaccination Hub at Knockbracken Hall is open 9am – 6pm every day, with the following exceptions over the Christmas holiday period:

Friday 24th Dec 10am - 2pm
Sat 25th Dec - CLOSED
Sun 26th Dec - CLOSED

Normal hours resume on Monday 27 December from 9am – 6pm. Hours will also be slightly reduced for New Year:

Friday 31st Dec 9am - 2pm
Saturday 1st Jan 10am - 2pm
Normal hours resume on Sunday 2 January from 9am – 6pm.

Great Hall at Queen’s University Belfast Vaccination Hub

The Vaccination Hub in the Great Hall at Queen's University Belfast is open 10am – 5pm every day, with the following exceptions over the Christmas holiday period:

Friday 24th Dec - CLOSED
Saturday 25th Dec - CLOSED
Sunday 26th Dec - CLOSED

Normal hours resume on Monday 27 December from 10am – 5pm. Hours will also be slightly reduced for New Year:

Friday 31st Dec - CLOSED
Saturday 1st Jan - CLOSED

Normal hours resume on Sunday 2 January from 10am – 5pm.

South Lake Leisure Centre

Friday 24th Dec CLOSED
Saturday 25th Dec - CLOSED
Sunday 26th Dec - CLOSED
Monday 27th Dec 8.15am - 8pm (last walk in 7pm)
Tuesday 28th Dec 8.15am - 8pm (last walk in 7pm)
Wednesday 29th Dec 8.15am - 8pm (last walk in 7pm)
Thursday 30th Dec 8am - 8pm (last walk in 7pm)
Friday 31st Dec - CLOSED
Saturday 1st Jan - CLOSED
Sunday 2nd Jan 8.15am - 8pm (last walk in 7pm)

Newry Leisure Centre

Friday 24th Dec - CLOSED
Saturday 25th Dec - CLOSED
Sunday 26th Dec - CLOSED
Monday 27th Dec 9am - 8pm (last walk in 7pm)
Tuesday 28th Dec 9am - 8pm (last walk in 7pm)
Wednesday 29th Dec 9am - 8pm (last walk in 7pm)
Thursday 30th Dec 9am - 8pm (last walk in 7pm)
Friday 31st Dec - CLOSED
Saturday 1st Jan - CLOSED
Sunday 2nd Jan - CLOSED

Foyle Arena

Friday 24th Dec - CLOSED
Sat 25th Dec - CLOSED
Sunday 26th Dec - CLOSED
Monday 27th Dec 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 28th Dec 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 29th Dec 9am - 5pm
Thursday 30th Dec 9am - 5pm
Friday 31st Dec 9am - 12pm
Saturday 1st Jan - CLOSED
Sunday 2nd Jan 9am - 5pm

Omagh Leisure Complex

Friday 24th Dec - CLOSED
Saturday 25th Dec - CLOSED
Sunday 26th Dec - CLOSED
Monday 27th Dec 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 28th Dec 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 29th Dec - CLOSED
Thursday 30th Dec - CLOSED
Friday 31st Dec - CLOSED
Saturday 1st Jan - CLOSED
Sunday 2nd Jan - CLOSED

Lakeland Forum

Friday 24th Dec - CLOSED
Saturday 25th Dec - CLOSED
Sunday 26th Dec - CLOSED
Monday 27th Dec - CLOSED
Tuesday 28th Dec - CLOSED
Wednesday 29th Dec 11am - 5pm
Thursday 30th Dec 9am - 12pm
Friday 31st Dec 9am - 12pm
Saturday 1st Jan - CLOSED
Sunday 2nd January 9am - 5pm

Seven Towers Leisure Centre, Ballymena

Friday 24th Dec - CLOSED
Saturday 25th Dec - CLOSED
Sunday 26th Dec - CLOSED
Monday 27th Dec 9.30am - 5pm (last walk in at 4pm)
Tuesday 28th Dec 9.30am - 8pm (last walk in at 6pm)
Wednesday 29th Dec 9.30am - 8pm (last walk in at 6pm)
Thursday 30th Dec 9.30am - 8pm (last walk in at 6pm)
Friday 31st Dec 9.30am - 5pm (last walk in at 4pm)
Saturday 1st Jan - CLOSED
Sunday 2nd Jan 9.30am - 5pm (last walk in at 4pm)

Antrim Forum

Friday 24th Dec - CLOSED
Saturday 25th Dec - CLOSED
Sunday 26th Dec - CLOSED
Monday 27th Dec - CLOSED
Tuesday 28th Dec 9.30am - 4.30pm
Wednesday 29th Dec 9.30am - 4.30pm
Thursday 30th Dec 9.30am - 4.30pm
Friday 31st Dec 9.30am - 4pm
Saturday 1st Jan - CLOSED
Sunday 2nd Jan 9.30am - CLOSED

Meadowbank, Magherafelt

Friday 24th Dec - CLOSED
Saturday 25th Dec - CLOSED
Sunday 26th Dec - CLOSED
Monday 27th Dec - CLOSED
Tuesday 28th Dec - CLOSED
Wednesday 29th Dec - CLOSED
Thursday 30th Dec - CLOSED
Friday 31st Dec - CLOSED
Saturday 1st Jan - CLOSED
Sunday 2nd Jan 9.30am - 4.30pm

Ulster Hospital Vaccination Centre (APPOINTMENTS ONLY)

Friday 24th Dec 8am - 2pm
Saturday 25th Dec - CLOSED
Sunday 26th Dec - CLOSED
Monday 27th Dec - CLOSED
Tuesday 28th Dec - CLOSED
Wednesday 29th Dec - CLOSED
Thursday 30th Dec - CLOSED
Friday 31st Dec - CLOSED
Saturday 1st Jan - CLOSED
Sunday 2nd Jan - CLOSED

Lisburn PCCC, Lagan Valley Hospital

Appointments only from 28th December

Friday 24th Dec 9.30am - 2pm
Saturday 25th Dec - CLOSED
Sunday 26th Dec - CLOSED
Monday 27th Dec - CLOSED
Tuesday 28th Dec 9.30am - 7pm
Wednesday 29th Dec 9.30am - 2pm
Thursday 30th Dec 9.30am - 2pm
Friday 31st Dec 9.30am - 2pm
Saturday 1st Jan - CLOSED
Sunday 2nd Jan - CLOSED

TEC Belfast MASS VACCINATION CENTRE

Friday 24th Dec 8am - 2pm
Saturday 25th Dec - CLOSED
Sunday 26th Dec - CLOSED
Monday 27th Dec 8am - 8pm
Tuesday 28th Dec 8am - 8pm
Wednesday 29th Dec 8am - 8pm
Thursday 30th Dec 8am - 8pm
Friday 31st Dec 8am - 2pm
Saturday 1st Jan - CLOSED
Sunday 2nd Jan 8am - 8pm

Read more:

Public urged to use COVID-19 testing only when needed

Where to get your Covid-19 vaccine and booster over Christmas across NI

Two bodies found in Co Donegal house

How to listen to Downtown Country:

Tune into Northern Ireland’s number 1 for Country music, Downtown Country on online, on the Rayo app, your DAB radio, or say ‘Play Downtown Country’ on your Smart Speaker. We play you the best Irish and American country music, from Victoria Quinn in the morning, to Big T’s legendary evening Country show.