What restrictions are expected to relax from May 24th across Northern Ireland?

Dinner and drinks indoors is just around the corner 👏

Author: Emma DicksonPublished 18th May 2021
Last updated 18th May 2021

Just five months after the very first Coronavirus jab was administered here in Northern Ireland, we're now making steading progress towards our roadmap to recovery.

Today it's reported that over one million people here have now received their first Covid-19 vaccine dose.

Last week, the Stormont Executive agreed on our next list of restriction relaxations. These will be reviewed and confirmed on May 20th (Thursday).

So long as the data and statistics continue at a positive rate, we'll see a welcome return to indoor hospitality and so much more.

From 24 May ( subject to review):

✈️The 'stay local' messaged will be removed andNon-essential travel to other parts of the Common Travel Area (CTA) will be allowed

🍽Indoor hospitality reopens with table service and six people per household

🙌Indoor visits will be allowed, with 6 people from no more than 2 households

🎥🎳Indoor visitor attractions including cinemas, amusement arcades, adult gaming centres, museums, libraries, bowling allies & bingo halls

⚽️500 spectators at any outdoor event

🏑Extra-curricular activities in schools

👟Outdoor inter-schools sports and day educational visits

🏊‍♀️Gyms, swimming pools and indoor leisure facilities may reopen

🏕Overnight stays are permitted in self-contained tourism accommodation, including self-catering houses, caravans and motor homes

💍Numbers for marriages and civil partnerships will be determined by the venue on a risk assessed basis

💃Dancing will not be permitted and social distancing should be maintained

💒The number permitted to attend funerals will be determined by the venue on a risk assessed basis

Check out a full breakdown on local relaxations:

May 24th

The 'stay local' messaged will be removed

May 24th

Indoor visits with will be allowed
• 6 people from no more than 2 households
• Does not include children under 12
• Can be more if household has more than 6, but not more than 10
• Overnight stays permitted

May 24th

Indoor hospitality with table service only may reopen
• The number of individuals at a table should not exceed 10
• Face coverings must be worn if you leave your table
• There should be no live music or dancing
• Social distancing should be maintained

May 24th

Resume indoor group exercise and training in numbers limited to suit the venue
• Social distancing
• Risk assessment to maximum capacity
• All contact details must be taken and retained

May 24th

Reopening the remainder of Tourist accommodation
• All contact details must be taken and retained
• Rooms/accommodation area booking in line with the permission re indoor domestic settings/bubbles
• Shared facilities will reopen
• Meeting rooms will be reopened - capacity will be to risk assessment maximum.

May 24th

500 spectators should be allowed allowed at sports events and inter-school sports events.

May 24th

This includes amusement arcades, bingo halls, museums, galleries and cinemas.
• Social distancing
• Risk assessment to maximum capacity
• All contact details must be taken and retained

May 24th

The resumption of post-wedding ceremony receptions or functions


• Risk assessment for capacity
• No restriction on top table
• Other tables maximum of ten (no household restriction)
• Children under 12 excluded from table numbers
• One dance permitted for the couple
• Music same as for licensed venues

May 24th

Ministers have agreed a 'green list' of countries where people can travel to without having to quarantine on their return.

June 21st

Theatres, concerts, conferences and exhibitions can reopen (risk assessed)

Read more:

Patrick Dempsey falls in love with Northern Ireland's Causeway Coast

NI marks one million first vaccine doses

Staycations set to boost NI economy by £340million

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