In a positive move for businesses in what should have been a busy trading period approaching Christmas, the Executive announced on Thursday their plan to relax a number of the regulations put in place as part of the current circuit breaker, commencing from Friday, December 11.
Announcing the relaxations to the circuit breaker, First Minister Arlene Foster said that there would be “no further regulations before Christmas”.
The ammendments were announced as follows:
- There will be no change to the restrictions in place for wet pubs who will have to remain closed;
- Reopening of non-essential retail from December 11;
- Cafe, Restaurants and Hotels can reopen from December 11 but must have in place 2m social distancing and close each evening at 11 pm;
- Close contact services can resume business from December 11 by appointment only;
- Churches can recommence services;
- Weddings & Funerals can again take place without a limit to attendees but a risk assessment must be completed instead to access that number who can safely attend on a case by case basis and
- Gyms will be able to reopen for individual training only.
It was also announced that a temporary easing of restrictions to household gathering regulations would be put in place for Christmas. These would allow up to three households to gather with no maximum numbers in a ‘Christmas Bubble, between December 23 – 27, but households are urged to keep bubbles to as small as possible.
First Minister Arlene Foster said: “Through our collective efforts over recent weeks we gained enough space in the transmission of the virus to relax a significant number of restrictions, including the opening-up of non-essential retail, close contact services, sport and leisure activities and our places of worship at the end of next week.
“These decisions will give families, businesses and employees some much-needed certainty and comfort in the run-up to Christmas and beyond.
“This is a special time of the year and we want to support people to have a good Christmas, but also a safe one.
“Significant work has been completed with business sectors, faith groups, local government and police on new mitigation measures to reduce the risk of transmission.
“I urge everyone to be Covid-aware and to make careful and sensible decisions when out and about or mixing with others. We need to make sure we continue doing all we can to protect ourselves and our loved ones.”
Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill said: “The Executive wants to give people as much notice as possible on what the situation will look like from next Fridaywhen the current circuit breaker comes to an end.
“We have given detailed consideration to which restrictions need to be maintained, and what we can open up, in light of the scientific and medical advice.
“A package of measures that will see significant relaxations to the current restrictions has been agreed, with maximum mitigations in place to minimise risks to the greatest extent possible. An additional support package will be put in place for traditional drink-only pubs that unfortunately will not be able to reopen at this time.
“We appreciate how important Christmas time is for many families and the Executive has agreed arrangements that will allow families and friends to come together in a limited way between 23 and 27 December.
“It’s important for people to understand that with any increased contact comes increased risk. Everyone needs to think very carefully about the risks posed to them, and their loved ones, by coming together over the Christmas period, particularly to those who are vulnerable. Some may choose not to form a Christmas bubble but for those who do, we encourage them to keep their bubbles small and limit the numbers of people gathering, as much as possible.”
