Pubs, restaurants and hotels can open on July 3, the Executive has confirmed.
The move is a major easing of restrictions surrounding the coronavirus lockdown which has been in place in Northern Ireland since March.
As of July 3, pubs, hotels, restaurants and coffee shops can reopen while a week earlier, on June 26, caravan parks, camp sites and self-contained tourist accommodation will be allowed to reopen. The announcement was made by Economy Minister Diane Dodds who said it was a "good day" for the hospitality and tourism sectors.
Hospitality Ulster says 'wet-only' pubs ie: those which only serve alcohol will have to cater to customers outdoors. Pubs which offer meals can welcome customers indoors, with restrictions in place.
The Executive met today to discuss the proposal and agreed it. It comes as the Department of Health recorded no coronavirus deaths in the past 24 hours and four confirmed cases.
The original indicatuve reopening date for pubs, hotels and restaurants had been July 20 with ministers warning that it would be entirely dependent on the R (reproduction) rate of coronavirus. The R rnumber has remained below one.
— Rebecca Black (@RBlackPA) June 15, 2020
Hospitality Ulster Chief Executive Colin Neill said it was a "significant milestone in what will be a long and challenging path to rebuild our hospitality sector”.
Mr Neill acknowledged the lives lost to coronavirus and the need to ensure the safety of customers and staff.
"With Covid19 still circulating amongst us, it is vital that our industry implements all possible measures to reduce the spread of the virus. Protecting our staff, our customers, and our communities is paramount.”
“We have extensive industry specific guidance, drafted and ready to go, however until the UK Government releases its guidance for the sector, we are unable finalise and publish our guidelines. We expect that it will be issued in the coming days.”
Mr Neill said many businesses would not be able to open if the two metres remained the rule for social distancing and that he hoped to see it reduced to one metre "in line with WHO guidelines as soon as possible".
Nothern Ireland Hotels Federation CEO Janice Gault said the Executive's decision today would allow the sector to trade over the important summer season.
"We are also encouraged by the recognition of the role that tourism and hospitality have to play in restoring the local economy and social normality as the pandemic subsides," she added.
