Table service rules eased for hospitality in Northern Ireland

The requirement for table service in Northern Ireland hospitality establishments is to be eased from Friday, both indoors and outdoors, to enable customers to go to the bar to place orders or pay.

However, customers will still be required to return to their table to consume their food or drink indoors – although this will not be the case outdoors.

The Executive also agreed yesterday to remove the prohibition on movement and standing to allow customers to play darts, pool and gaming machines, for example, but the requirement to wear face coverings while not seated indoors will continue.

In relation to indoor concerts and gigs, the requirements for tickets to be purchased in advance and allocated seating will be removed, although customers must still be seated and the requirement to record contact details for all attendees will continue.

The restriction on music to background or ambient levels will also be removed, as will the restriction on dancing in indoor settings for wedding and civil partnership celebrations.

While the message to work from home where possible and appropriate remains, the Executive encouraged employers to "plan for a return to the workplace".

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