Northern Ireland's bars and restaurants still in limbo

When can we grab a pint with our mates again? 🍻

Author: Emma DicksonPublished 2nd Mar 2021
Last updated 2nd Mar 2021

Northern Ireland's long-awaited plan for coming out of lockdown has arrived.

The Stormont Executive agreed on their 'Pathway to Recovery,' which follows a phased approach to relaxing restrictions - rather than an actual time-frame for the re-opening of sectors.

The 'pathway' focuses on nine key areas - retail; hospitality; education and young people; work; culture, heritage and entertainment; sports and leisure; travel and tourism; worship and ceremonies; home and community.

Each stage follows five steps - lockdown, cautious first steps, gradual easing, further easing, and preparing for the future.

Ministers made clear today’s blueprint will be led by data - not dates!

The hospitality industry has been hit hard this past year, with many businesses closing their doors before Christmas, not knowing when they will be allowed to re-open.

Today's guidelines show a step-by-step guide for the hospitality sector. See below a detailed breakdown on each phase and what is included...

Phase 1 - Lockdown Restrictions

  • All hospitality closed, except for takeaway sales
  • 11pm takeaway curfew

Phase 2 - Cautious First Steps

  • Curfews lifted for takeaways
  • Premises where alcohol cannot be consumed open with table service, 6 people from 2 households

Phase 3 - Gradual Easing

  • Premises where alcohol can be consumed, excluding wet pubs, open with tale service, 6 people from 2 households

Phase 4 - Further Easing

  • We pubs can open with table service, 6 people from 2 households
  • Limited entertainment relaxations

Phase 5 - Preparing for the Future

  • Bar service permitted in wet pubs
  • 6 from any household (relaxed)
  • Live entertainment in hospitality venues
  • Nightclubs open

9 Step 'Pathway to Recovery'

Hospitality

All hospitality businesses remain closed with the exception of those who offer takeaway services currently. Restrictions will gradually ease by Phase 3 when premises that serve alcohol, such as restaurants or gastropubs, open their doors offering table service for up to six people from two households.
Wet pubs won't open until Phase 4, and similarly must offer table service for up to six people from two households. Nightclubs will open, with live entertainment and bar service from Phase 5.

Education & Young People

P1 to P3 primary school children will return to school on March 8, and on March 22 secondary school children in key exam years - years 12-14 - will go back to class.
All schoolchildren will be expected to return to class after the Easter holidays.
Further Education and University students are not expected to completely return to face-to-face learning until the final step.

Work

Working from home has become the new normal for so many – and it looks set to stay, well at least until Phase 3. There will be a gradual return to offices and on-site working, with seminars and meetings allowed.
Workplaces should be back up and running by Phase 5.

Retail & Service

Only essential retail services are available right now, with all close contact services closed and curfew on alcohol off-sales. Phase 2 will begin from April 12th which sees the return of Click & Collect non-essential retail, then the off-sales curfew will be lifted in third phase. Close contact services can also resume, with mitigations in place.
The goal would be for all retail and close contact services to open for Phase 5.

Culture, Heritage & Entertainment

Outdoor attractions will reopen under the Executive's new plan in Phase 1. Heritage sites, museums and libraries are available from Phase 3.
Cinemas, concert venues and theatres will reopen during Phase 4, and lastly large outdoor events back for Phase 5!

Home & Community

The stay at home message is still important - but today we've been given a glimpse into what the next few months will look like.
Phase 1 will allow for up to 10 from 1 households to meet outdoors, and by phase 3 there will be a restricted number allowed indoors not at a private dwelling.

Sport & Leisure Activities

Social-distanced sports such as golf and tennis are back up and running, under strict covid regulations.
Outdoor training can kickstart from Phase 2, with leisure centres, pools and gym opening in Phase 3. By the end of Phase 4 there will be a limit to indoor/outdoor spectators, and Phase 5 sees further numbers allowed both indoor and outdoor

Travel

Something we're all looking forward – there hasn't been much movement in terms of travel. Caravan sites and overnight stays at hotels and B&Bs will return in Phase 3, with public transport running at full service with reduced mitigations by Phase 5.

Worship & Ceremonies

Lockdown restrictions currently allow 25 guests to civil partnerships, marriages and funerals. Things ease off slightly, as receptions can take place with mitigation and limited numbers by Phase 3.
Phase 4 sees the return of limited live music and Phase 5 will allow live music, entertainment and dancing at the reception!

Ministers will review the steps and recovery methods regularly - however we don't expect any changes before Easter.

Stay up to date on all things coronavirus - on air, online and on social!

Read more:

Northern Ireland’s Pathway to Recovery Unveiled

When can weddings take place in Northern Ireland again?

£11,000 Covid fines issued overnight

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