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What restrictions are lifting today across Northern Ireland?

Nightclubs and indoor events are back

Author: Emma DicksonPublished 26th Jan 2022
Last updated 26th Jan 2022

Later today (noon) further covid-19 restrictions will ease across Northern Ireland.

Stormont ministers met last Thursday to discuss NI's next steps out of lockdown, confirming the news that a two-step relaxation plan was in motion.

On Friday 21st, the rule of six for hospitality in Northern Ireland was abandoned.

The following changes will come into affect from 12 noon today (Jan 26th)

Nightclubs will be permitted to open

Dancing and indoor standing events can resume

In relation to COVID-status certification – the legal requirement will continue to apply in relation to nightclubs and indoor unseated or partially seated events with 500 people or more. For other settings where COVID status certificates are currently required, guidance would strongly encourage their continued use

In workplaces - the requirement for offices to take reasonable measures for 2m social distancing will be removed. Guidance remains in place that risk assessments should be carried out

All remaining covid-19 restriction will be reviewed by the Executive on 10th February.

This includes:

  • The legal duty on retail to take reasonable measures to reduce the risk of transmission
  • The legal requirement to wear face coverings and the associated duty on businesses to take reasonable measures to ensure compliance
  • The legal requirement for risk assessments in prescribed settings
  • The legal requirement for recording visitor information in prescribed settings
  • The remaining legal requirements in relation to Covid-status certification
  • The guidance on the regular use of LFD testing, and in particular before meeting up with others

TRAVEL UPDATE ⬇️

Fully vaccinated travellers arriving from non-red list countries into Northern Ireland will no longer be required to take a Covid-19 test or self-isolate.

The Department of Health has confirmed from 4.00am on February 11, 2022, fully vaccinated travellers arriving from non-red list countries will only have to complete a UK Passenger Locator Form.

Read more:

NI COVID TRAVEL RULES: tests scrapped for vaccinated arrivals

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Vicky McClure opens up about her love of Belfast & her go-to spots

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