Executive agrees to lift more Covid-19 restrictions

It's good news for family and friends that haven't been able to travel here since the pandemic.

Stormont Ministers have agreed travellers from US and EU who are double vaccinated will not have to isolate.

This move brings us in to line with the rest of the UK - and it will be a welcome relief for loved ones who have been separated since the pandemic struck.

Managed isolation arrangements for international students arriving from red list countries ahead of the new academic term have also been approved.

More good news for cruise lovers - international sailing will be allowed to visit here from the 31st of July.

Ministers also signed off on a bespoke Covid-19 testing regime for international travellers whose jobs qualify them for isolation exemptions (this will come into effect on Monday).

The 1 metre social distancing rule has also be changed in to guidance - and there's no restrictions on live music in hotels and concert halls.

Sports fans will also be able to travel to the Super Cup Final in Belfast next month without having to self isolate.

Chelsea fans travelling from England for the showpiece match are already not subject to any travel restrictions.

Ministers have also agreed to the return of international cruise travel in and out of Northern Ireland from Saturday.

Managed isolation arrangements for international students arriving from red list countries ahead of the new academic term have also been approved. These arrangements will come into effect on August 9.

These arrangements will come into effect on August 9th.

But the executive weren't able to sign off on some easements -

They pushed back the reopening of exhibitions and conferences, and still haven't decided whether to bin face masks in schools.

Decisions deferred will be discussed at the next meeting of the Executive which is due to take place on August 12.

Read More:

NI Executive to consider relaxing international travel rules

Stormont agrees to lift further Covid-19 restrictions

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• stormont
• ni executive
• covid-19