PUBS that do not sell food could reopen next month.
The Stormont Executive said it hoped these so-called ‘wet bars’ could reopen on Monday, August 10.
This is the same date as in the Republic, although in both jurisdictions it depends on how the easing of lockdown progresses.
Pubs that sell food were allowed to reopen to the public on Friday, July 3 after over more than three months in lockdown.
Meanwhile, theatres have been told they can provisionally reopen from Wednesday, July 29.
They were originally included in the same bracket as cinemas to reopen, but then the executive agreed cinemas could open earlier from July 10.
Derry’s Playhouse Theatre can reopen from July 29
Conference halls inside hotels and indoor venues are also still not permitted to operate.
Although competitive sport was allowed to resume from 11 July, so far it has been conducted behind closed doors.
That changed when the executive announced that spectators will be allowed to attend outdoor sporting venues “where the operator can control access and ensure adherence to social distancing”.
The Irish Football Association subsequently confirmed it plans on having a limited number of fans at the Irish Cup Final at Windsor Park on July 31.
The GAA said that up to 400 people, including essential match personnel, will be allowed to attend some GAA matches in the North of Ireland.
Soft play areas and snooker halls are rescheduled to open from August 7, but this still needs to be signed off by the executive.
The executive also says that “active venues such as snooker halls” should not open until 29 July – with this date still to be confirmed by the executive.
Open air museums have been told by the executive to prepare to potentially reopen in late August but no specific date has been confirmed yet.
The executive maintains that all of the restrictions lifted so far are also subject to change and that they are kept under constant review.
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