Northern Ireland announced it would impose a four-week “circuit-breaker” partial lockdown on Wednesday, with measures including shuttered pubs and extended school breaks coming into force from Friday.
Pubs and restaurants will be closed, while takeaways will be allowed until 11pm. Though shops will remain open, supermarkets and off-licenses will only be permitted to sell alcohol until 8pm.
The school half-term break will be extended to two weeks, with students set to return to classes on 2 November.
The new rules will also see indoor sports, contact sports banned and close-contact services, like hairdressers and beauticians banned, while public events will be capped at 15 attendees. Gyms will remain open for individual training only.
Places of worship will have a mandatory face-covering requirement, and weddings and funerals will be limited to 25 attendees. Wedding receptions will be banned, as will pre- and post-funeral gatherings. Rules on weddings and funerals come into force on Monday 19 October.
Current rules bar different households from mixing in Northern Ireland, with exceptions for those “bubbling” with another household, and up to six people from up to two households can meet outdoors in a private garden. These rules continue to apply, while overnight stays in private properties have also been prohibited unless as part of a “bubble”.
Bubbles will be limited to a maximum of 10 people from two households.
People are also advised to work from home unless unable to do so, while higher education facilities are asked to employ remote teaching to the maximum extent possible. It is advised that no unnecessary travel should be undertaken.
