06/01/2022

Stormont Scrap Planned Changes To Face Covering Rules

Stormont Ministers have agreed that no further Covid restrictions are necessary in NI.

Despite the ongoing increase in Omicron cases, the Assembly has not chosen to introduce any new restrictions, alongside scrapping a plan to tighten face covering rules.

According to reports, the Assembly made the decisions following a briefing by Health Minister Robin Swann and his officials.

The Executive had planned to remove some exemptions on face coverings and to require people to provide proof of exemption. However, the plans have been scrapped "indefinitely", with First Minister Paul Givan satating that "no business should be asking anyone to provide proof".

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

07 February 2024
Executive To Present 'United Case For Fair And Just Settlement'
The Executive will take a united case for a fair and just settlement for public sector workers and public services to Westminster, First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly have said.
05 February 2024
Executive Calls For Urgent Talks On Long-Term Funding Stability
The Executive has written to the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to call for an urgent discussions on long-term funding stability to deliver public services.
23 January 2024
Highrise Safety Cannot Progress Without Minister – Alliance
The Alliance Party has raised concerns that new safety plans by the Department for Communities designed to address fire safety in high rise buildings will not be delivered without a Minister to take them forward.
12 February 2024
Economy Minister Holds Meeting With Irish Minister For Enterprise
The Economy Minister, Conor Murphy, has held a meeting InterTradeIreland's office in Newry with Ireland's Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Employment Simon Coveney TD. Highlighting the importance of holding an early meeting with Minister Coveney, Minister Murphy said that the topic of discussion was "how we can prosper from the Windsor Framework".
09 April 2024
Economy Minister Highlights Key Role Of Social Enterprises
Social enterprises play a key role in growing Northern Ireland's economy, Economy Minister Conor Murphy has said. The Minister was visiting the IncredABLE Café @ South Lake in Craigavon, a social enterprise who are making a difference to the lives of people with learning/intellectual difficulties and/or autism.