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18 Dec 2020

Northern Ireland to close non-essential retail after Christmas Eve trade

Northern Ireland will go back into lockdown - including the closure of non-essential retail - after Christmas Eve trade, it has been announced.

All non-essential retail and close-contact services such as beauty salons are to close, with pubs, cafes and restaurants restricted to takeaway services.

As in Wales, non-essential retail will close after trading finishes on Christmas Eve. The measures, to reduce the spread of coronavirus, are expected to last at least six weeks.

During the first week of the lockdown until January 2, essential retail will also have to close by 8pm each day.

Bira understands the restrictions to be as follows:

  • Closure of hospitality and non-essential retail with stricter guidelines between essential and non-essential retail
  • Click-and-collect retail will not be permitted, and homeware will not be categorised as essential retail
  • Off sales (including from bars) will be permitted from 8am on Monday to Saturday, and from 10am on Sunday, until 8pm on any day
  • Hospitality businesses will only be allowed to offer takeaway and delivery food
  • Closure of close-contact businesses

In addition, there will be a one-week period of additional restrictions from December 26 to January 2. Between 8pm and 6am during this period, which include:

  • All businesses must close between these hours
  • No indoor or outdoor gatherings of any kind will be permitted after 8pm and before 6am, including at sporting venues

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