Nightclubs and music venues will be able to fully reopen in Northern Ireland from October 31, following the announcement that most COVID-19 restrictions and social distancing measures will be lifted at the end of this month.
The BBC reports that "a number of mitigations" have been agreed within the local government, and it is thought businesses will be asked to check for vaccine certificates, but that it will not be a legal requirement. Full measures will be announced in the coming weeks, though the mandatory wearing of face coverings is set to remain for certain settings.
First Minister Paul Givan welcomed the easing of restrictions, saying he was "pleased that at the end of this month, [the hospitality sector] will be able to operate in a much more sustainable and viable way." The lifting of measures in Northern Ireland means that nightclubs and gig venues will be able to operate at full capacity for the first time since March 2020.
Pubs, bars and restaurants in Northern Ireland are currently only allowed to operate with a one-metre social distancing rule. Figures from across the hospitality sector argued that this would not be possible in nightclubs and other music venues, and pushed for a full lifting of measures, which has now been agreed.
Expressing her happiness at the agreement to lift all COVID-19 restrictions at the end of October, Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill has also urged caution, with the BBC quoting her as saying: "We’re in for an uncertain period ahead and we have to work our way through that as best we can."
