THE Stormont Executive will discuss tomorrow, Tuesday, June 23, on whether to reduce the social distance guidance from two metres to one metre.
First Minister Arlene Foster told today’s briefing the Executive will be engaging with the UK government tomorrow about its plans around reducing social distancing guidelines from 2m to 1m.
It is expected British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will announce some relaxations on Tuesday around the distance and the reopening of pubs in England on Saturday, July 4.
The hospitality sector in the North of Ireland can reopen from Friday, July 3 after over three months in lockdown.
Many hospitality groups have insisted the reduction is crucial for their businesses to reopen and remain viable by accommodating more customers.
Owners of hotels, restaurants and bars have said that two metres would only allow them to operate at 50 per cent capacity while one metre would allow them to operate at 70 per cent capacity.
Some countries such as France and Denmark already enforce the 1 metre guidance.
Arlene Foster says Stormont ministers want to examine the evidence and mitigations “if he (the PM) announces as everyone expects him to some details around that tomorrow”.
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