New NI lockdown rules explained: What you can and can’t do from January 8 onwards

The new rules, agreed by the Executive on Tuesday night and explained in the Assembly yesterday afternoon, can be legally enforced with the PSNI granted powers to “escort people home”, First Minister Arlene Foster has said.

The new rules are in addition to the tough meaures that had already been imposed on December 26.

Gatherings of more than six people – including children – have now been banned, with the six people coming from no more than two households.

The restriction applies to both indoor and outdoor gathrings such as in a private garden.

The only reasonable reason permitted for leaving the home – other than travelling for work that can’t be done from home, healthcare, or buying essential items such as food and medicine – is for outdoor exercise.

While the rules are similar to those imposed in March when the first wave of the pandemic hit, there are a number of significant departures.

Mrs Foster confirmed in the Assembly yesterday, in response to a specific question from her fellow Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Rosemary Barton, that forest parks and country parks will remain open for outdoor exercise.

She said lessons had been learned from the first lockdown, when car parks at various countryside locations were closed and long queues of cars could be seen outside.

This time around, people are also allowed to meet with one person from another household for their daily exercise.

A spokesperson for the Executive Office said this was so “for example, those living alone” would be allowed to “go for a walk with a friend”.

The strict new rules, effectively confining people to their own homes, will remain in place until February 6.

A spokesperson for Stormont’s Executive office said: “No one can leave their home without a reasonable excuse and the PSNI will have the enforcement powers to order individuals home if engaging in prohibited activity, or if they are intending to do so.”

Meanwhile, restrictions which have been in place since December 26 remain.

Retail deemed ‘non-essential’ will remain closed, alongside close-contact services such as hairdressers and beauty parlours.

All sports remain banned entirely.

The closure of the entire hospitality industry – except for takeaways and deliveries – remains in place.

Off-licences, however, will be allowed to operate.

No official announcement has been made on the closure of churches, but ministers are soon to meet with religious leaders to “discuss the option of all services moving online until February 6”.