Health Protection Regulations: Monday 25 January 2021

MLAs debate amendments 19 to 25 of the The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020.

These regulations were discussed in one debate which were then voted on and approved at the end of the debate. The regulations concern restrictions involving:

Amendment no. 19 amends the regulations in relation to the hospitality sector, close contact services and places of worship.

Amendment no. 20 amends the requirement for review of the Regulations; amends the period a person must wait before forming a new linked household; and permits a supermarket to use any till or checkout aisle for intoxicating liquor off-sales.

Amendment no. 21 adds provisions in relation to entertainment venues.

Amendment no. 22 provided for extended linked households at Christmas and for use of conference facilities by courts and tribunals.

Amendment no. 23 limited a Christmas “bubble” to one day and disallowed overnight stays connected to a Christmas “bubble”.

Amendment no. 24 requires businesses selling food, drink and intoxicating liquor for consumption on the premises to cease to do business except for sale of food for consumption off the premises. Non-essential retail businesses are required to close. Limits are placed on gatherings and sporting events. With some exceptions close contact services must close.

Amendment no. 25 permitted taxi businesses to operate after 8.00 pm in the period up to 2 January 2021. They limit the operating hours of businesses selling food and drink. They provided that the power to require people to return home operates only up to 2 January 2021.

 

Related information:

Watch MLAs discuss previous amendments to the regulations: