From October 31, the government in Northern Ireland has today agreed for the following relaxations, with mitigations in place:

1. Allow people to move around hospitality premises and indoor venues, including being able to stand to have a drink and eat food.
2. The restriction on indoor dancing will be lifted.
3. The need to maintain social distancing in hospitality settings, such as pubs and restaurants will move to guidance. Whilst the legal requirement for social distancing will now be removed, people are asked to keep close face-to-face contact to a minimum at all times.
4. Nightclubs will be permitted to reopen.

The NI government is strongly recommending that venues and event organisers require individuals to demonstrate one of the following:

> Proof of having been fully vaccinated for more than two weeks
> Proof of a negative PCR test or rapid lateral flow test taken within 48 hours of entry to a venue (a lateral flow test taken at home will need to be reported into the public reporting system
> Evidence of a positive PCR test result for COVID-19 within the previous 180 days and following completion of the self-isolation period.

(source: www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk/, image: pexels)