Apparently Arlene Foster and the NI government reckon the hospitality industry said this would help restart their businesses. Is that a good enough reason?

The Stormont Executive has agreed to reduce social distancing in Northern Ireland from 2m (6ft) to 1m with restrictions from Monday, Arlene Foster has confirmed.

It comes days after the prime minister said England would move to “1m plus” on 4 July, as its lockdown is eased.

The proposal was brought to the executive by Economy Minister Diane Dodds.

The first minister said hospitality businesses must uphold safety.

Mrs Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill also announced a series of other indicative dates for businesses and public facilities to reopen as lockdown is further eased in Northern Ireland.

They include:

• Betting shops from 3 July;
• Close contact services like spas and massage; tattoo parlours, holistic therapies and reflexology from 6 July;
• Indoor gyms and outdoor playgrounds from 10 July;
• Libraries from 16 July;
• The resumption of competitive sport from 17 July – with “limited numbers” of outdoor spectators, to be increased from 31 July;
• Bingo halls and arcades from 29 July;
• Other seated indoor venues such as cinemas and theatres from 29 July;
• Indoor sports courts and skating rinks from 7 August;
• Leisure centres and soft play areas from 7 August;
• Socially-distanced indoor spectators can return to sporting events from 28 August;
• Open air museums from late-August.

Source: Coronavirus: NI to move to 1m distancing rule from Monday – BBC News

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