Lockdown restrictions ease across Northern Ireland

By PA

Northern Ireland is taking further steps out of lockdown today as a wide range of restrictions are removed.

Indoor hospitality can resume while people will be able to meet inside private homes for the first time this year.

Six people from no more than two households will be able to meet in a private dwelling and stay overnight.

Northern Ireland is taking further steps out of lockdown today as a wide range of restrictions are removed.https://t.co/adQRUc6VV9

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) May 24, 2021

All tourism accommodation will also be able to reopen on May 24.

A limit on the size of outdoor gatherings will increase to 500 – a number that will also apply to the number of spectators able to attend sporting fixtures.

Indoor group exercise is allowed again, enabling indoor sports teams to resume training.

Health Minister - 'Keep working together to protect progress we have made.'

Read more➡️https://t.co/iqbA9CoPKO pic.twitter.com/2G2bTXZ7wn

— Department of Health (@healthdpt) May 23, 2021

The Health Minister, Robin Swann, has said today will be an "emotional day" for many as Northern Ireland re-opens, but urged caution to keep the virus under control.

Deputy First Minister @moneillsf has sent her best wishes to all businesses reopening today as lockdown restrictions here ease, She is reminding the public to be cautious and vigilant in the days and weeks ahead. pic.twitter.com/WCO8HMl85i

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) May 24, 2021

Indoor visitor and cultural attractions can also reopen from Monday, which includes museums, galleries, cinemas, indoor play areas, bowling alleys, amusement arcades, bingo halls and libraries.

In regard to indoor hospitality, people can sit at tables of six people with no limit on households. It will be table service only.

That means Love & Death in Belfast city centre can increase its capacity by more than 30%.

However Manager Sean Duffy says people have really embraced the outdoor seating arrangements in place. 

Post-wedding and civil partnership receptions can also take place.

There will be no limit on the numbers at the top table, with a limit of 10 for other tables. Dancing will be restricted to a couple’s first dance.

Q Radio's Brett Campbell speaks to owner of the Sunflower Pub Pedro Donald about what the next step out of lockdown means for pubs in the city.

Under relaxations agreed at Thursday’s Executive meeting, Stormont’s Stay Local message is also to be removed.

Schools can resume extra-curricular activities, indoor extra-curricular sports, outdoor inter-school sports and day educational visits.

(Indoor hospitality can open for the first time since before Christmas)