Shops, GP surgeries, and NI schools to close for funeral

Monday, September 19 — the day of the state funeral for Queen Elizabeth II — will be a bank holiday but many employers, organisations and services that might ordinarily have continued operating will close for the day.

l Large food retailers including Lidl, Tesco, Aldi, and Marks & Spencer have all announced their intention to close their doors for the day – as did fast-food chain McDonald’s last night.

l The clothing retailer Primark has also announced its intention to shut up shop for the day across the UK, including in Northern Ireland.

Smaller shops may also choose to close but, like the larger retailers, are under no obligation to do so.

l The Department of Health at Stormont also confirmed earlier this week that health trusts will be “operating enhanced Bank Holiday services in order to reduce the impact on patients and service users”, but confirmed that GP surgeries will close for the day.

l The majority of community pharmacies are also expected to close.

l It is expected that schools will also close for the day.

A statement published on the government website NI Direct states: “Schools in Northern Ireland have been granted an Exceptional Closure Day on Monday, 19 September, 2022.

“It is expected that schools should close for this Bank Holiday to mark Her Majesty The Queen ’s state funeral.

“You should get information about individual schools directly from the school.”

l Further and higher education colleges are also set to close.

The NI Direct website states: “To mark the state funeral of Her Majesty The Queen, all further and higher education colleges in Northern Ireland will be closed on Monday, 19 September, 2022.”

l Courts are also affected. In a statement, the Department of Justice at Stormont said: “Most hearings will not take place on September 19, 2022. However plans are being put in place for emergency court sittings and urgent business if required.

“All Courts and Tribunals business that was due to take place on September 19 is being rescheduled, with the parties notified.”

l The Department for Infrastructure, meanwhile, has said all its testing centres will be closed for the day.

“All DVA [Driver and Vehicle Agency] Test Centres will be closed on Monday, September 19,” a spokesperson for the Department said.

“The DVA will directly contact all customers with an appointment for a vehicle or driving test for Monday, September 19 to reschedule their tests at the earliest opportunity.

“Driver Theory Tests will also be suspended and customers will be contacted directly by the service provider with advice on how to rebook their appointment.”

The Stormont department stressed, however, that parking restrictions will remain in place on the day.

l The Department for Communities also announced the closure of Jobs and Benefits Offices on Monday, but stressed that benefits and pension payments would proceed.

l The department also confirmed the intention to close certain historic sites, including Dunluce and Carrickfergus castles.