Executive to consider reducing 2m rule and compulsory wearing of face masks

The Stormont meeting is likley to be dominated by discussions around the further easing of lockdown regulations in Northern Ireland.

Economy Minister Diane Dodds will argue for the relaxation of the two-metre rule, stating that it would be a lifeline for the hospitality industry.

Earlier this week Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that England would shift from a two-metre rule to ‘one-metre plus’ as the risk of coronavirus is determined to have reduced.

This led Mrs Dodds to write to her ministerial colleagues asking for the same measure to be considered today, as long as it is safe to do so.

She said it would make it more viable for hotels, restaurants, pubs and cafes to operate when they reopen on July 3.

Meanwhile Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon has said she will bring proposals to the Executive for the compulsory wearing of face masks on public transport.

She tweeted last night that she had held meetings with Translink and unions about the matter and would be bringing it to the Executive today.

The Executive currently recommends wearing face coverings in public places, but has stopped short of making it compulsory.

In England and Scotland, it is already mandatory to wear them on public transport.

The Executive is also likely to have further discussions on signing off on funding for children entitled to free school meals.

The decision to extend the free school meals scheme over the summer was announced last week but was then not progressed at the Monday Executive meeting following reports of a dispute between Sinn Féin and the DUP over the failure to implement a payment scheme for victims of the Troubles.