Last orders at Derry pubs to be called at 10.30 p.m. from Thursday

Speaking in the Assembly Mrs. Foster said: "The Executive agreed last Thursday that a closing time of 11 p.m. should be applied to the hospitality sector. This will come into effect from midnight on Wednesday, September 30, 2020, and will apply to those parts of the hospitality sector subject to current regulations including pubs, bars, restaurants and cafés as well as hotels and guest house bars.

"No alcohol or food will be served after 10.30 p.m. and all customers must leave by 11 p.m."

Colin Neill, Chief Executive, Hospitality Ulster said today: “If a curfew is necessary, it is important that it is set at a time that allows the hospitality sector to be sustainable after being so badly damaged by the Covid lockdown.

"The hospitality industry was reopened to save jobs and businesses in the safest way possible and now has some of the strictest legally enforceable Covid regulations across the island of Ireland and UK.”

“We welcome the fact that the earlier time of 10pm has been dismissed, but 11pm still means that doors have to be shut by that time.”