LISTEN: NI business owners express fears about New Year lockdown as they reopen

By Q Radio News

Business owners across Northern Ireland have begun trading again after some of the Covid19 restrictions were relaxed last night. 

However many have expressed frustration with the Stormont Executive's handling of the situation and the lack of communication prior to yesterday evening's press conference with the First and deputy First Minister. 

The owner of The Barking Dog restaurant in Belfast says he is delighted to be opening his doors again. 

However Michael O'Connor says he'll never make back the money he's lost as a result of being forced to close, due to COVID-19 restrictions. 

The chef and businessman is bracing himself for another possible round of restrictions in the new year as he fears the hospitality sector will be ''unfairly blamed'' for a spike in  new cases over Christmas. 

He says his priority is keeping 19 employees on the payroll as he anticipates further restrictions in January and February. 

''We have over 16 hand sanatising stations throughout the building,'' he added. 

''You wouldn't see that in anybody's house.

''Hospitality is safe, but we are going to be the fall guy over Christmas once again.'' 

Ken Sharp, who owns the Salty Dog Hotel in Bangor, voiced similar concerns. 

He also criticised the Executive for the lack of guidance in advance of restrictions being eased. 

The two-week limited lockdown, which was imposed on 27 November, ended just before midnight yesterday. 

Restaurants, cafes and other venues serving food can resume trading, however pubs that do not serve food must remain shut.

The Pocket Cafe in Belfast was one of those who could reopen today.

A Belfast landlady unable to open today described the latest rules as a 'smack in the face.'

Lilly Mulholland from Kelly's Cellars in Belfast has branded the decision not to allow wet pubs to reopen as 'illogical.'

She says she's spent around £50,000 on coronavirus safety measures, only to be able be open for a matter of weeks since March.

New regulations published last night provide further details on the latest rules.

They state that any food served must have been prepared "in a static and permanent kitchen on the premises of the bar, hotel, pub or club and which is eaten by a person seated at a table".

They also require every person who visits hospitality must provide their name and telephone number.

Shoppers in Belfast City Centre today

Some other restrictions that have been lifted allowing hairdressers, barbers and beauty salons to reopen but visits must be by appointment only.

Churches can resume services, while weddings and funerals will have their cap of 25 people lifted, however a risk assessment should be carried out to determine how many people a venue can safely accommodate. 

Gyms can reopen for individual training but not for classes while sports training and matches can resume at all levels with up to 500 spectators permitted to attend outdoor sporting events.

Households are still not allowed to mix indoors in private homes, except where strict exemptions apply.

These restrictions are due to partially ease on 23 December for five days over the Christmas period.