NI Executive to meet AGAIN today on COVID-19 restrictions for businesses - business owner tells ministers to put on ‘big girl pants’ and make a decision

Long meetings were held throughout Monday - but ministers were unable to agree what steps to take.

The uncertainty for business owners continues as business owners plead for a decision to be made.

This morning on Good Morning Ulster Moira business woman Carolyn McCauley said the NI Executive “need to put on big girl pants and make a decision”.

Ms McCauley, a beautician, said First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill needed to “put on their big girl pants and make decisions”.

“At this stage, it’s simply not good enough,” she said.

“They’ve had four weeks to make these decisions and now here we are, at the 11th hour, and there’s still no decision,” she added.

Hair and beauty salons have also been closed since 16 October.

One option being considered would be to allow cafes to open - but licensed premises would remain closed to the public.

It is understood businesses such as hairdressers and beauticians may open - with restrictions in place.

There are suggestions that estaurants could open without alcohol being sold.

But restaurant owners have insisted the inability to sell alcohol would make trading unviable.

However, there are doubts whether ministers will press ahead with this option, as it is understood discussions on Monday evening acknowledged concerns raised by the hospitality sector.

Meanwhile the four-week so-called circuit-break lockdown that has forced the closure of much of the hospitality sector in Northern Ireland is due to end at midnight on Thursday.

READ - ‘Appalled’ - Top NI restaurateur Michael Deane rages against proposed ban on alcohol that could see hospitality sector reopen

__________________________________________

A message from our editor: Thank you for reading this article. We’re more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by Coronavirus impacts our advertisers.

Please consider purchasing a copy of the paper. You can also support trusted, fact-checked journalism by taking out a digital subscription of the News Letter.