Northern Ireland

Changes around social distancing in hospitality and furlough ending to be discussed by Executive

Nightclubs in NI have had to remain shut throughout the pandemic
Nightclubs in NI have had to remain shut throughout the pandemic Nightclubs in NI have had to remain shut throughout the pandemic

CHANGES around social distancing in hospitality and retail settings and the impact of the ending of furlough are among the issues due to be discussed by executive ministers next week.

It is understood any decision around an easing of social distancing measures could be influenced by the furlough scheme, which is set to stop at the end of September.

There are currently around 36,000 people in Northern Ireland still being supported, including many workers in the hospitality sector.

While rules for some hospitality businesses were eased earlier this month, including the removal of table service restrictions, many parts of the industry are still waiting on guidance to be allowed to re-open.

In particular, nightclubs in the north have had to remain shut throughout the pandemic.

It comes as the executive announced a change to rules on Covid-19 testing for international travel from next month.

Ministers agreed to remove the requirement for pre-departure testing for fully vaccinated arrivals from non-red list countries. The decision was only revealed late on Thursday.

The change comes into force on October 4 at 4am and brings the north into line with the rest of the UK.

When the executive meets again on Monday, ministers are set to specifically discuss social distancing in hospitality and retail settings and the ending of the furlough scheme.

Ministers are also expected to look at the role of vaccine passports for hospitality settings.

First Minister Paul Givan said the easing of social distancing measures in certain sectors will be examined.

"In respect of social distancing, that is something which for certain sectors there is a critical decision with the ending of the furlough scheme, and that has been well documented, but we are going to meet as an executive on Monday to talk about the social distancing aspects and the particular sectors that that is very much relevant to."

A further meeting of the executive will take place on October 7 with a view to potentially reducing some regulations on October 14.

But figures from the hospitality industry say firm dates for venues to re-open need to be set.

Colin Neill of Hospitality Ulster said: "We cannot have another Thursday when our industry is waiting in hope for their opportunity to push past the restrictions and begin to rebuild and recover."