A number of changes to coronavirus restrictions are coming into place in Northern Ireland from noon today, January 21.
The main restrictions easing today relate to hospitality and home settings, while further restrictions will ease on Wednesday, January 26, to include the reopening of nightclubs.
It comes after Stormont Ministers met on Thursday to discuss the easing of coronavirus restrictions in line with other jurisdictions.
The Executive's next meeting will take place on February 10, where it's expected they will consider all remaining coronavirus restrictions in Northern Ireland.
First Minister, Paul Givan, told Belfast Live that he would like to see restrictions around face coverings removed in the coming weeks.
Mr Givan said: "I don't want the legal requirement for people to wear face masks in settings where they're currently provided to be continuing. It shouldn't be the new normal, it's not normal for people to have to cover their face and mouth. I would hope we can make progress on that issue at the meeting on February 10."
Here are details of the restrictions easing from this afternoon.
Changes to coronavirus restrictions from 12 noon on January 21
- In hospitality settings - the requirement to be seated whilst consuming food and/or drink and for table service in premises that provide alcohol will be removed as will the rule of six.
- In domestic settings - guidance regarding the cap on the number households meeting indoors will be removed. (A maximum number of 30 people permitted to gather will be retained in regulation.)
- On face coverings – the requirement to provide proof of exemption will be removed and the reasonable excuse of ‘severe distress’ will be reintroduced.
- The guidance on working from home will revert to working from home where you can with employers encouraged to facilitate this.
- The Executive has also been advised by the Department of Health that the minimum self-isolation period for people testing positive for COVID-19 will be reduced to five full days, subject to negative lateral flow tests on days five and six of their isolation.
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