COVID-19: Nightclubs in NI reopen as restrictions are further eased

By Q Radio News/PA

From midday today nightclubs and large venues across Northern Ireland can reopen but Covid vaccination passports will still be required.

However, the Stormont Executive decided last week that the passports will no longer be required in pubs and restaurants.

The  use of Covid certification in hospitality is being "strongly encouraged", but in guidance only.

From today, dancing and indoor standing events can also resume, and in workplaces the requirement for offices to take reasonable measures for two-metre social distancing will also be removed.

The legal requirement for Covid certification will continue in nightclubs and indoor unseated or partially seated events with 500 or more.

For other settings the certification will no longer be required but its use encouraged.

Remaining Covid restrictions in Northern Ireland will be reviewed by the Stormont Executive on February 10.

These include the legal duty on retail to take reasonable measures to reduce the risk of transmission, the legal requirement to wear face coverings and the legal requirement for risk assessments in prescribed settings.

They also include the legal requirement for recording visitor information in prescribed settings, the remaining legal requirements in relation to Covid certification, and guidance on the use of lateral flow testing in particular before meeting others.