First Minister Arlene Foster addresses MLAs today over new restrictions
She told MLAs that the fresh restrictions across the North of Ireland it was vital to “break the chain” of Covid transmission in the community.
The First Minister said the doubling rate of the virus and rising hospital admissions are of “great concern” for the Executive.
Rules on visiting households will remain, while working from home where possible is encouraged.
The closure of the hospitality industry, apart from takeaways and deliveries, has also been confirmed.
Arlene Foster said the Executive recognises the new restrictions will be worrying, however they are vital to stop the spread of the virus.
She added that support will be provided to those businesses affected where possible.
The first minister says “we have looked at the various levels of restrictions we need now”.
“We all have a role to break this chain”, she says, adding that “people pass Covid on to each other and that happens at a variety of settings”.
“We have asked everyone to assist us with this by not gathering in domestic settings,” she says and outlines the restrictions currently in place in Derry City and Strabane local council area.
Mrs Foster says “hospitalisations are on the increase,” adding that this is “deeply troubling and more steps are urgently needed”.
THE NEW RESTRICTIONS IN FULL:
Maintenance of current household restrictions. This means a continuation of the restriction on meeting indoors, and a limit on the number who can meet in a garden. There are existing exemptions for child care and maintenance etc which would stay in place. However, as close contact economy is proposed for closure, it would be consistent with that to prohibit the provision of those services (eg hairdressing) in a domestic setting;
Bubbling to be limited to a maximum of 10 people from 2 households;
No overnight stays in a private home unless in a bubble;
Work from home unless unable to do so;
in guidance, we will advise Universities and further education to deliver distance learning to the maximum extent possible with only essential face to face learning where that is a necessary and unavoidable part of the course;
Closure of the hospitality sector apart from deliveries and takeaways for food, with the existing closing time of 11pm remaining.
Other take away premises will then be brought in line with hospitality with a closing time of 11pm;
Hospitality to shut down for four weeks except for takeaway and delivery
Closure of close contact services apart from those meeting essential health needs which will be defined in the Regulations to ensure continuation of essential health interventions and therapeutics. This will not include complimentary treatments;
No Indoor sport of any kind or organised contact sport involving household mixing other than at elite level;
No mass events Involving more than 15 people (except for allowed outdoor sporting events where the relevant number for that will continue to apply);
Gyms may remain open but for Individual training only with local enforcement in place;
Places of worship to remain open with a mandatory requirement to wear face coverings when entering and exiting. This will not apply to parties to a marriage or civil partnership;
Wedding ceremonies and civil partnerships to be limited to 25 people with no receptions. This will be implemented on Monday 19 October.
Venues providing the post-ceremony or partnership celebration may remain open for this purpose this weekend but may not provide other services for people who are not part of the wedding or partnership and this will be limited to 25;
Places of worship will remain opening, with face coverings mandatory.
Funerals and committals to be limited to 25 people with no pre- or post-funeral gatherings;
In guidance, no unnecessary travel will be advised;
Off licenses and supermarkets will not be permitted to sell alcohol after 8pm;
Added Mrs Foster: “We believe the above restrictions should apply for four weeks, and the continuation or amendment of any element would require Executive approval;
“In Education, the half term holiday break will be extended from 19th to 30th October with schools reopening on Monday 2nd November.
“To permit this the Department of Education will allocate to schools two of the Optional Days and the remainder of the additional time through Exceptional Closure Days.”
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