Yes, Orange halls can open their doors once more according to the government

The government has confirmed that Orange halls are among the list of venues which can now re-open as the Covid lockdown eases.
By Adam Kula
Published 24th Jul 2020, 16:25 GMT
Updated 24th Jul 2020, 16:31 GMT
Orangeman Brian McKee pictured during the lockdownOrangeman Brian McKee pictured during the lockdown
Orangeman Brian McKee pictured during the lockdown

The Executive Office, run by Arlene Foster and Michelle O’Neill, released a list of changes to the lockdown rules on Thursday night, including that “community centres and halls will be enabled to reopen”.

This would take effect from today (Friday).

The News letter has sought clarity that Orange halls are definitely included under the remit of “community centres and halls”, and a spokesman for the department confirmed they are.

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According to the rules, people may gather in non-domestic indoor settings in groups up to 30.

The only way to exceed that is if a “recognised person” takes on responsibility for organising a “cultural, entertainment, recreational, outdoor sports, social, community, educational, work, legal, religious or political” event – and carries out a legally-compliant risk assessment, and takes “all reasonable measures to limit the risk of transmission of the coronavirus”.

Anyone gathering indoors or out “should wherever possible maintain a social distance of at least two metres (six feet) between you and anyone outside of your

household”.

But “where two metres is not possible a minimum of one metre distancing is still safer than close contact if additional mitigating measures are implemented e.g. good hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene practices including the wearing of face coverings”.

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Related topics:Michelle O'NeillArlene FosterNorthern Ireland