New Covid measures come into effect across NI
The new rules are designed to suppress rising case numbers amid the spread of the Omicron variant.
A range of new Coronavirus restrictions are now in place across Northern Ireland.
From today (Monday) a range of new measures have been introduced to reduce the spread of the Omicron Covid variant.
The new restrictions come a day after nightclubs were force to shut and indoor sanding events were banned.
Stormont ministers are expected to meet again on December 30 to review the steps.
The following restrictions apply from today:
• It is strongly recommended that household mixing should be reduced to a maximum of 3 households.
• There will be a legal requirement for businesses to take reasonable measures to achieve 2m social distancing in office spaces or, where this cannot be achieved, to provide alternative mitigations.
• It is strongly recommended that you should work from home where possible and where that is not possible that there should be regular workplace testing.
• There will be a statutory duty on businesses to take reasonable measures to promote compliance with face coverings requirements, with a grace period until 7 January before enforcement is implemented.
• The exemption of wearing a face covering where it causes severe stress will be removed and the onus of proving an exemption on medical grounds will be on the individual, with a grace period until 7 January before enforcement is implemented.
• There will be a legal duty on retail businesses to take all reasonable steps to minimize transmission of the spread of the virus, with a grace period until 7 January before enforcement is implemented.
• You will be required to be seated in all indoor hospitality settings with a maximum of 6 people, or 10 people from a single household, 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 Executive has agreed a ÂŁ40 million pounds support package for businesses in the hospitality sector.
Businesses will be eligible for a one-off grant under the Omicron Hospitality Payment.
Eligible businesses include restaurants, cafés, coffee shops, bistros, snack bars, nightclubs, pubs, social clubs, and private members' clubs (but not sporting clubhouses).
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