All remaining NI COVID-19 restrictions are to be lifted, according to the Health Minister Robin Swann.
Some restrictions are currently still in place, including the wearing of face coverings in certain settings and having a Covid ‘passport’ for nightclubs.
The Health Minister said on Sunday afternoon that he has tested positive for COVID-19 but is working remotely.
Mr Swann emphasised the need for caution in relation to the virus.
He said to ‘not jump the gun and start behaving as if the pandemic is over.’
“While omicron is less severe than previous strains of the virus, community transmission remains very high and hospital pressures significant.
“Coronavirus is likely to stay with us in some form for some time. We cannot maintain emergency restrictions indefinitely. A large part of what we currently do to protect ourselves is already covered by guidance rather than regulations. This includes self-isolating when infected and taking lateral flow tests before meeting up with others. The guidance will continue to emphasise all the steps that we should keep taking to protect each other,” he said.
He said the importance of wearing face coverings in health and social care settings, on public transport and in enclosed indoor settings will continue to be strongly emphasised.
While COVID status certification will no longer be legally required in any settings, hospitality and entertainment venues will still be encouraged to use it.
The COVID restrictions that are being removed in law are:
Requirements in respect of shops:
- Risk assessment
- All reasonable measures to limit the risk of transmission
Requirements in respect of theatres, concert halls, conference and exhibition centres and other indoor venues used for performance, conferences or exhibitions:
- Risk assessment
- All reasonable measures to limit the risk of transmission
- Collection of visitor information
Requirements in respect of hospitality venues, including those outdoors under an occasional licence
- Risk assessment
- All reasonable measures to limit the risk of transmission
- Collection of visitor information
Requirements in respect of tourist accommodation:
- Collection of visitor information
Requirements in respect of any organised indoor gathering over 15 or outdoor gathering over 30:
- Risk assessment
- All reasonable measures to limit the risk of transmission
Requirements in respect of funerals and wakes
- Compliance with DoH Guidance on funerals
Requirements in respect of weddings and civil partnership ceremonies
- Collection of visitor information
- Restriction on meeting indoors at a private dwelling or at a rave (30+ people)
Requirements in respect of close contact services:
- Collection of visitor information
Requirement to wear a face covering in enclosed public areas of premises; restaurants, cafés, bars and pubs; public transport; driving instruction; close contact services
Requirement to use COVID certification in nightclubs and indoor unseated gatherings of 500+.