Northern Ireland

Coronavirus: Hairdressers reopen in Northern Ireland

Stephen Hill cutting the hair of six-year-old Ruairi Gargan at Cambridge Barbershop on Belfast's Lisburn Road, which opened at 00:01. Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire 
Stephen Hill cutting the hair of six-year-old Ruairi Gargan at Cambridge Barbershop on Belfast's Lisburn Road, which opened at 00:01. Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire  Stephen Hill cutting the hair of six-year-old Ruairi Gargan at Cambridge Barbershop on Belfast's Lisburn Road, which opened at 00:01. Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire 
By Michael McHugh, PA

Hairdressers, barbers and beauty salons have reeopened in Northern Ireland this morning for the first time since the coronavirus lockdown began in March.

Businesses have been busy redecorating and installing protective measures in the days leading up to reopening.

On Friday, pubs which served food were able to reopen in Northern Ireland along with hotels.

Table service was required.

Beer taps were flowing and cash registers ringing as customers returned to cafes, restaurants and pubs.

Economy minister Diane Dodds hailed the reopening of the sector as a hugely positive step forward as she visited a number of establishments.

Party leaders at Stormont are due to meet again later today in an effort to defuse the row over the attendance of Deputy Fiorst Minister Michelle O'Neill at veteran republican Bobby Storey's funeral last week.

Hundreds lined the route of the cortege and police are investigating whether social distancing guidelines were breached.

First Minister Arlene Foster said Ms O'Neill's credibility to deliver Covid-19 safety messaging had been damaged.

A forum of party leaders was established as part of the deal to restore devolved powersharing in January.

It is intended to help resolve differences between the coalition partners at Stormont.

This is the first major issue which the body has been called upon to address.

From today, restrictions on people visiting loved ones in hospital and care homes will be eased.

Decisions on allowing visitors will now be made on a day to day basis, by the nurse in charge in hospitals, or by the manager in care homes, and will depend on the ability to ensure social distancing and safety of both patients/residents and the visitors.

All visitors to hospitals and care homes are now also required to wear a face covering, the department of health said.