Shops, Pubs, Restaurants And Gyms Reopen In NI
Shops, pubs, restaurants cafes and gyms have started to reopen today in Northern Ireland after a four-month lockdown.
Hospitality business are only able to operate outdoors and limited numbers per table.
Curfews on takeaways and off-licences have also been removed.
Gyms and swimming pools have been given the go-ahead to reopen only for individual activities.
The limit on outdoor gatherings in gardens has increased to 15 households from no more than three households.
Lord Mayor of Belfast Alderman Frank McCoubrey hailed it as a "significant day".
He said: "It has been a very difficult and challenging 12 months for the city's business community; retail, hospitality and tourism have all been hit hard by the ongoing pandemic, and the easing of restrictions by the Executive has been hard-won. The last thing we want is for people to become complacent.