Financial package for covid-hit businesses revealed
£40million is going to over 3,000 businesses.
Last updated 23rd Dec 2021
Stormont ministers have agreed a package of financial measures for hospitality businesses affected by the latest Covid-19 restrictions in Northern Ireland.
The Department of Finance will take the lead in the latest grant scheme.
Ministers had faced criticism for agreeing restrictions on Wednesday without announcing an accompanying support package.
Nightclubs were ordered to close at short notice while other hospitality settings were told that table service must resume, dancing is forbidden, and there will be a maximum of six people per table again.
Executive ministers were also urged not just to give money to businesses, but to workers in the industry too, who will lose out on wages because of the closures.
Finance Minister Conor Murphy outlined details of the scheme on Twitter.
Eligible businesses include nightclubs, restaurants, cafes, coffee shops, bistros, snack bars, pubs/bars, social clubs or private members' clubs.
Sports clubs are not eligible.
The First Minister also took to Twitter to reveal the first details about the scheme, before any official press release with more information was issued.
Read more:
Stormont agrees new restrictions
Nightclubs in NI ordered to close again