A number of fresh coronavirus restrictions are now in force in Northern Ireland.
From 6am on Monday, December 27, a number of new measures have been put in place to limit the spread of the Covid-19 Omicron variant.
First Minister Paul Givan said these restrictions will be reviewed when the Executive meets again on Thursday, January 13.
These will be kept under continuous review as the situation develops.
The following now apply in Northern Ireland:
- It is strongly recommended that household mixing should be reduced to a maximum of 3 households.
- There is a legal requirement for businesses to take reasonable measures to achieve 2m social distancing in office spaces or, where this cannot be achieved, to provide alternative mitigations.
- It is strongly recommended that you should work from home where possible and where that is not possible that there should be regular workplace testing.
- There is a statutory duty on businesses to take reasonable measures to promote compliance with face coverings requirements, with a grace period until 7 January before enforcement is implemented.
- The exemption of wearing a face covering where it causes severe stress is removed and the onus of proving an exemption on medical grounds will be on the individual, with a grace period until 7 January before enforcement is implemented.
- There is a legal duty on businesses to take all reasonable steps to minimize transmission of the spread of the virus, with a grace period until 7 January before enforcement is implemented.
- You are required to be seated in all indoor hospitality settings with a maximum of 6 people, or 10 people from a single household, allowed at a table. (Children aged 12 and under are not counted in the total. This requirement does not apply to weddings or civil partnership celebrations.)
- Indoor seated and all outdoor events can proceed and it is strongly recommended that face coverings should be worn, LFD tests should be taken before attending events and there should be no multi-household travel in the same vehicle.
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Already in place since Boxing Day, December 27:
- Nightclubs closed
- Dancing in all hospitality venues not allowed. (Does not apply to weddings or civil partnership celebrations)
- All indoor standing events are not allowed.
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