COVID-19 : Derry & North West to be back in business from next Friday but pubs with no grub will remain closed

The shutters will remain down however on pubs that do not serve food, and the bars look set to remain closed for the remainder of 2020, as they have been for the majority of the year.

It was agreed around the Executive table on Thursday that the current circuit breaker, introduced a week ago ago, will not be extended beyond the two week time-frame.

At 11pm closure must be observed by those permitted to reopen in the hospitality industry.

The executive also agreed that up to three households can form a Christmas bubble with no limit on how many people that will involve to accommodate larger households.

More church services can resume and the 25-person limit on funerals and weddings may also change.

Beauty salons, hairdressers and barbers can resume trading by appointment but no walk in customers will be allowed, while gyms are also allowed to reopen for individual training but not for fitness classes.

While welcoming the decision to confirm the reopening of non-essential retail on December 11, Retail NI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said that the retailers will still struggle to make up the losses from the two-week circuit breaker in the last few weeks of Christmas shopping.

“Retail NI is working with the Executive to ensure that shoppers will have an enjoyable, but above all else, a safe shopping experience from December 11 onwards,” he said. “We urge shoppers to obey all regulations on face-coverings, social distancing and hand-sanitising.”

Mr Glynn added: “In these vital few weeks of Christmas shopping we urge shoppers to make it their civic duty to support independent retailers as many of them are struggling to survive and desperately need the trade.”