LISTEN: Stormont Executive to discuss further relaxations to lockdown rules

By Q Radio News and David Young, PA

The successful suppression of Covid-19 has enabled the Northern Ireland Executive to consider fast-tracking the reopening of the hospitality sector, the First Minister has said.

Arlene Foster confirmed that the date for the reopening of hotels is set to be brought forward from July 20.

Stormont ministers are currently meeting to deliberate on a proposal tabled by Economy Minister Diane Dodds that hotels, bars, cafes and restaurants could all resume business on July 3.

An announcement is expected later on Monday afternoon.

Only hotels had previously had an indicative opening date - July 20 - with other hospitality outlets having been unclear when they could potentially start trading again.

Under proposals put forward by Mrs Dodds, all hospitality businesses would be able to reopen from July 3.

"I think it's fair to say that we will be bringing forward the date, we gave an indicative date of the 20th of July," Mrs Foster said. 

"Thankfully, the spread of the disease has continued to fall, and we're very pleased about that, and also looking at the number of hospital admissions and the number of ICU admissions. Therefore we are able to move in a flexible way."

She told BBC Radio Ulster: "When we launched our plan for moving out of lockdown we specifically did not put dates to the various stages and the reason for that is we wanted to be flexible and move as the virus moves and this has allowed us to deliver things in a proactive way and on an ongoing basis as well."

A relaxation that allowed people living on their own to interact with one other household in a "social bubble" came into effect in the region on Saturday.

The move saw grandparents reunited with grandchildren after a three-month lockdown absence.

On Monday, passenger flights resumed at Belfast International Airport, and the housing market also restarted, with estate agents able to show properties to prospective buyers once again.

All non-essential retail outlets were permitted to reopen on Friday.

Some major chains in Belfast city centre, such as Zara and Apple, waited until Monday to welcome customers back.

However some businesses are arguing it's not viable to open if social distancing remains at two metres.

Hospitality Ulster CEO Colin Neill says a reduction to one metre would more than double turnover potential from 30% to 70% for businesses. 

Councils have already been instructed to relax rules when it comes to on-street seating for bars and cafes.  

It's prompted a warning from Alliance councillor Ross McMullan on behalf of people with mobility issues. 

He says the Infrastructure Minister’s recent call for councils to have a "flexible and pragmatic approach" is welcomed, but pointed out that older people and those with disabilities in particular should be central in new plans.

“Social distancing has brought a new challenge for and impact on those with mobility issues,” councillor McMullan added. 

“The top priority for Belfast City Council must be helping our city recover from the pandemic and reopening it but it is vital we ensure it reopen for everyone in whatever the new normal looks like.

"We can do that by making our city centre and its streets more inclusive and accessible than ever.

“The Minister has now called on Councils to have a flexible and pragmatic approach, so I have written to the Council Chief Executive to ask how that can be practically implemented and enforced, and how people with mobility issues, including disability groups, should be included in decision-making.

"Social distancing may be with us for some time, therefore making an even greater issue of pavement space required for pedestrian flow.

“We need to ensure our pavements are accessible for everyone to use and I welcome thoughts around the reallocation of road space, to enable social and physical distancing in appropriate areas.”