Coronavirus: Detailed guidance published on NI’s latest ‘circuit breaker’ restrictions

Stormont announced the circuit-breaker on Wednesday in a bid to halt a dramatic rise in the spread of Covid-19 across Northern Ireland.

But there was confusion over what could continue to operate and what would have to close amid tougher restrictions.

Movie House owner Michael McAdam was among business owners who said on Thursday he did not yet know whether he could open this weekend.

Full guidance was published on Friday evening at 6pm as the new rules came into force.

The guidance clarifies that in addition to the hospitality industry being closed down apart from takeaway and delivery services, most entertainment venues must also shut.

Indoor museums, galleries, bingo halls, bowling alleys, cinemas, amusement arcades, skating rinks and funfairs are not permitted to open.

Outdoor attractions such as country parks can remain open and libraries may provide call and collect services, and access to the internet.

Cookery schools and soft play areas can stay open subject to risk assessment and with safety measures.

Meanwhile, close contact services – such as hairdressers, beauticians, make-up and nails, tattoo and piercing parlours, tanning shops, sports and massage therapy, wellbeing and holistic treatments, and driving instructors – are not permitted to operate.

Workers, builders, tradespeople and other professionals can continue to go into people’s houses to carry out work such as repairs, installations and deliveries.

Music lessons and private tutoring are permitted, as long as social distancing is maintained and there is no close contact.

In terms of sport, elite training and competition can continue, both indoors and outdoors. Whether spectators may attend remained unclear on Friday evening.

Places of worship can remain open with measures to ensure social distancing.

There is no restriction on numbers attending acts of worship, but a limit of 15 otherwise applies in places of worship. For weddings and funerals, ceremonies are limited to 25 people.

Full regulations can be found at https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-regulations-guidance-what-restrictions-mean-youMeanwhile, a Northern Ireland football club has been left in an “impossible situation” after struggling to clarify whether they could allow supporters to attend a match.

The confusion came as fans turned up for a Danske Bank Premiership clash between Coleraine and Ballymena United at Coleraine Showgrounds.

New strict regulations aimed at stemming the spread of coronavirus came into effect at 6pm on Friday for four weeks, shortly before the match was due to kick off.

Guidance states that elite training and competition can continue, both indoors and outdoors.

The Northern Ireland Football League (NIFL) said it received a letter from Communities Minister Caral Nu Chuilin advising it was “necessary to stop spectators from attending sporting events”.

Coleraine Football Club chairman Colin McKendry said some fans were already inside the grounds when he arrived, while others were initially kept outside while they sought clarity from police.

All the supporters were later allowed into the Coleraine venue after it was deemed unsafe to keep them outside, risking a contravention of a rule limiting numbers who can gather public.

“We’ve put all the necessary safety requirements in place to adhere to the Public Health Agency,” he said, adding they had been put in an “impossible situation”.

First Minister Arlene Foster responded to developments on social media, stating the regulations “do not ban spectators in the grounds of elite sports”.

“The existing position is maintained permitting a limited number to attend. Preposterous for clubs to be told anything to the contrary,” she posted on Twitter.

Full regulations can be found at https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-regulations-guidance-what-restrictions-mean-you

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