Gyms, shops, outdoor pubs, restaurants, cafes, hairdressers etc to reopen within days

The Executive this evening agreed a package of relaxations which will see life return to some semblance of normality for the first time in 2021.

The first major changes will come into effect next Friday, April 23 and will see hairdressers, barbers and other close contact services resume, along with club sport squad training and outdoor visitor attractions and outdoor activity centres reopening, while driving instruction and theory and practical tests returning.

Equine Assisted Therapy and Learning in groups of 30 will also be back next Friday while competitive outdoor sport organised by a club, individual or individuals affiliated, with participant numbers not exceeding 100 and no spectators permitted can return.

Static band practice/rehearsal will be permitted in agreed outdoor locations from April 23.

The following Friday, April 30 will mark a huge milestone with all retail allowed to reopen, as well as licensed and unlicensed bars, cafes and restaurants for outdoor dining and drinking - with a limit of six people per table from no more than two households. Contact details will also be recorded.

There will be increase in the numbers permitted to gather in Domestic Setting Outdoors to 15 people from no more than three households on the same date.

Those with caravans or looking for a break in the north will be happy that overnight stays in self-contained tourist accommodation for one household only will be allowed, also from April 30.

The curfews of takeaways and off licenses will be scrapped on April 30, and individual activities in gyms, swimming pools and other large venues – including with a carer and to allow 1-2-1 training/coaching with social distancing can also return for the first time in 2021 on April 30.

An indicative date of May 24 has been announced for reopening all restaurants, pubs, cafes, licenses, clubs etc indoors with mitigations.

The remainder of tourist accommodation can reopen on May 24, people can visit each other’s homes and meet indoors, indoor visitor attractions will reopen and indoor group exercise and training in numbers limited to suit the venue.

The next formal review of the Coronavirus regulations under the Pathway out of Restrictions will be carried out on May 13, 2021.