Further relaxations to Covid-19 restrictions in Northern Ireland came into force this week.
From noon on Wednesday, the legal requirement to provide Covid certification to enter bars, restaurants and cinemas ended.
Nightclubs can also now reopen but vaccine certification is still needed to gain access.
It followed the ending on Friday of the requirement to remain seated and the limit of six per table at venues such as pubs.
The use of Covid certification in hospitality venues is still being "strongly encouraged" by the Executive, but in guidance only.
The latest easing of restrictions was agreed at a meeting last week after ministers said Northern Ireland had passed the peak of the Omicron wave.
However, there are still some remaining legal regulations in hospitality venues, which will be reviewed Stormont ministers on 10 February.
Risk assessment
- Venues MUST carry out a risk assessment
- Retain the risk assessment on the premises (in hard copy or electronic form, or both) and make it available immediately for inspection by visitors to the premises or to a relevant person on request
- Take all reasonable measures to limit the risk of transmission of coronavirus
Proof of Covid status
This remains a legal requirement in the following:
- Nightclubs
- A premises hosting a relevant event.
- An indoor unseated or partially seated events with 500 or more
Recording customer details
Venues MUST collect customer details to help with the Test, Trace, Protect contact tracing programme. Customer details include:
- Name and telephone number of each visitor over the age of 16
- Date and time of their visit
Face masks
These MUST be worn when seated and when moving about the venue. People dancing, eating and/or drinking do not have to wear face masks.
The need for proof of exemption has been removed.
Recommended mitigations:
- Hand sanitiser stations
- Use of protective screens
- Good ventilation
- Use of one-way systems (if possible)
- Minimising close face to face contact
- Covid status checks in venues not legally required
While Hospitality Ulster has welcomed the lifting of mandatory passes in most venues, the organisation is continuing to lobby for the total removal of all Covid restrictions.
It said proof of Covid status checks has caused "undue financial stress to businesses" as many struggled to employ extra staff to check vaccine passports upon entry.
Vaccine passports became legally enforceable on December 13 following an initial two-week grace period.
Under the scheme hospitality venues such as pubs were required to ask customers for proof of vaccination, a negative test result or Covid immunity to gain admission.
While most Stormont parties backed their introduction, the DUP opposed the move saying it would have a "marginal" impact on reducing coronavirus transmission rates.
First Minister Paul Givan said last week it was his "continued view" that vaccine passports should be scrapped in all settings.
Meanwhile Health Minister Robin Swann has signalled February 10 as a key date for Northern Ireland in the battle against the pandemic.
Mr Swann said ministers will have to take account of how things stand at that point with cases, and whether another variant has emerged.
For the latest breaking news straight to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter here.
