Pubs in NI set to reopen on September 21 while new localised restrictions announced

At a joint press conference with First Minister Arlene Foster, Ms O’Neill confirmed that all pubs which have remained closed since lockdown will now have an indicative date of Monday, September 21 for reopening. Strict guidelines will have to be followed by establishments.

During the press conference yesterday evening, the two politicians also announced new restrictions for various areas across Northern Ireland, although Derry & Strabane was not included in the list of areas affected.

Following a steep rise in the number of people testing positive for COVID-19, residents of Belfast, Ballymena and all those living in the BT28, BT29, and BT43 postcode areas will now not be allowed to visit other households.

They cautioned against people thinking increased testing was responsible for the huge jump in cases- since July, testing has increased five-fold but positive cases have risen 20-fold.

Meanwhile across the border it has already been confirmed pubs can also reopen on September 21.