Skip to main content

Northern Ireland's leaders agree one-week lockdown extension as they end four days of argument - hours after realising original Covid rules were due to end a day later than they originally thought

Northern Ireland's leaders have tonight agreed a one-week lockdown extension, sources say.

It comes after four days of arguments between lawmakers, and hours after they realised the original Covid rules were due to end a day later than they had originally thought. 

The new rules will see an extension of the current circuit-break lockdown followed by a partial reopening of the hospitality sector, Stormont sources have said.

It is understood that the DUP, UUP and Alliance voted for the proposals, made by Economy Minister Diane Dodds, while Sinn Fein voted against and the SDLP abstained.

According to reports, under the new rules, close contact services, including hairdressing, beauty treatments and driving lessons, will resume on November 20 by appointment only.

According to reports, under the new rules, close contact services, including hairdressing, beauty treatments and driving lessons, will resume on November 20 by appointment only

According to reports, under the new rules, close contact services, including hairdressing, beauty treatments and driving lessons, will resume on November 20 by appointment only

The new rules which are understood to have been agreed by Stormont ministers 

 It is understood that under the new rules:

- Close contact services, including hairdressing, beauty treatments and driving lessons, will be allowed to resume on November 20 by appointment only

- Unlicensed premises, including cafes and coffee shops, will be allowed to reopen on November 20. There will be restricted opening hours to 8pm, while no alcohol can be consumed in these premises.

- All other sections of hospitality that have been closed during the circuit-break will be allowed to reopen on November 27.

- Pubs and bars will be permitted to sell sealed off-sales from November 20.

Unlicensed premises, including cafes and coffee shops, will also reopen on November 20, with restricted opening hours to 8pm. However, no alcohol can be consumed in these premises. 

All other sections of hospitality that have been closed during the circuit-break will open on November 27.

Pubs and bars permitted will be permuted to sell sealed off-sales from November 20.

A Sinn Fein source said the party voted against the proposals because it ran contrary to the guidance from Stormont's medical and scientific advisers to extend the circuit-break in its entirety for two weeks.  

It understood the meeting included fractious exchanges between Sinn Fein and DUP ministers and that at one point DUP First Minister Arlene Foster told her Sinn Fein counterparts: 'I won't be taking any lectures from Sinn Fein on excess deaths.'

It is also understood health minister Robin Swann backed the proposal as a way to avoid all the regulations lapsing at midnight on Friday.

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said: 'Today the Executive agreed to a two week extension of the regulations with coffee shops, cafes and close contact services opening a week earlier.

'While the SDLP was pleased that the additional financial support we have been pushing for was also agreed, SDLP Minister Nichola Mallon abstained on the vote as she could not in good conscience support measures that fell short of protecting against plunging us into more restrictions just before Christmas - even two weeks would have risked that.'

The parties have been divided over whether to give primacy to medical advice to keep hospitality closed to hamper spread of the coronavirus or to reopen part of the economy to save livelihoods.

The DUP, Ulster Unionists and Alliance Party voted for the breakthrough proposals.

It built on Alliance Justice Minister Naomi Long's earlier hybrid proposal to break the deadlock by adding a definite date when the rest of the hospitality sector can open its doors.

It understood the meeting included fractious exchanges between Sinn Fein and DUP ministers and that at one point DUP First Minister Arlene Foster told her Sinn Fein counterparts: 'I won't be taking any lectures from Sinn Fein on excess deaths.'

It understood the meeting included fractious exchanges between Sinn Fein and DUP ministers and that at one point DUP First Minister Arlene Foster told her Sinn Fein counterparts: 'I won't be taking any lectures from Sinn Fein on excess deaths.'

Hours earlier, hotelier Bill Wolsey was among scores of business owners who have voiced frustration. 'Our politicians are a bit like track and trace - not fit for purpose,' he said

Hours earlier, hotelier Bill Wolsey was among scores of business owners who have voiced frustration. 'Our politicians are a bit like track and trace - not fit for purpose,' he said

The fourth meeting of Stormont Executive ministers in four days started just after 4pm on Thursday afternoon.

The deaths of another 15 people with Covid-19 were announced on Thursday, along with 548 new confirmed cases of the virus.

Ministers have been at loggerheads, with three proposals on the executive's next pandemic response being voted down during fractious exchanges within the administration.

The DUP has used a contentious voting mechanism to veto two proposals from Mr Swann to extend the circuit-break measures - one proposed a two-week extension, the other a single week.

Hours earlier, hotelier Bill Wolsey was among scores of business owners who have voiced frustration.

'Our politicians are a bit like track and trace - not fit for purpose,' he said.

'How can I be sitting here and not knowing if I am able to open tomorrow? How do we get to this state?'

Popular posts from this blog

Study Abroad USA, College of Charleston, Popular Courses, Alumni

Thinking for Study Abroad USA. School of Charleston, the wonderful grounds is situated in the actual middle of a verifiable city - Charleston. Get snatched up by the wonderful and customary engineering, beautiful pathways, or look at the advanced steel and glass building which houses the School of Business. The grounds additionally gives students simple admittance to a few major tech organizations like Amazon's CreateSpace, Google, TwitPic, and so on. The school offers students nearby as well as off-grounds convenience going from completely outfitted home lobbies to memorable homes. It is prepared to offer different types of assistance and facilities like clubs, associations, sporting exercises, support administrations, etc. To put it plainly, the school grounds is rising with energy and there will never be a dull second for students at the College of Charleston. Concentrate on Abroad USA is improving and remunerating for your future. The energetic grounds likewise houses various

Best MBA Online Colleges in the USA

“Opportunities never open, instead we create them for us”. Beginning with this amazing saying, let’s unbox today’s knowledge. Love Business and marketing? Want to make a high-paid career in business administration? Well, if yes, then mate, we have got you something amazing to do!   We all imagine an effortless future with a cozy house and a laptop. Well, well! You can make this happen. Today, with this guide, we will be exploring some of the top-notch online MBA universities and institutes in the USA. Let’s get started! Why learn Online MBA from the USA? Access to More Options This online era has given a second chance to children who want to reflect on their careers while managing their hectic schedules. In this, the internet has played a very crucial in rejuvenating schools, institutes, and colleges to give the best education to students across the globe. Graduating with Less Debt Regular classes from high reputed institutes often charge heavy tuition fees. However onl

Sickening moment maskless 'Karen' COUGHS in the face of grocery store customer, then claims she doesn't have to wear a mask because she 'isn't sick'

A woman was captured on camera following a customer through a supermarket as she coughs on her after claiming she does not need a mask because she is not sick.  Video of the incident, which has garnered hundreds of thousands of views on Twitter alone, allegedly took place in a Su per Saver in Lincoln, Nebraska according to Twitter user @davenewworld_2. In it, an unidentified woman was captured dramatically coughing as she smiles saying 'Excuse me! I'm coming through' in the direction of the customer recording her. Scroll down for video An unidentified woman was captured dramatically coughing as she smiles saying 'Excuse me! I'm coming through' in the direction of a woman recording her A woman was captured on camera following a customer as she coughs on her in a supermarket without a mask on claiming she does not need one because she is not sick @chaiteabugz #karen #covid #karens #karensgonewild #karensalert #masks we were just wearing a mask at the store. ¿ o