Theatres reopening in Northern Ireland

The easing of restrictions on theatres, concert halls and other venues have been agreed in the North.
The Northern Ireland Executive agreed the move today after delaying a decision from last week.
Changes come into effect from 6pm tomorrow.
Audience members must buy tickets in advance, have allocated seating and observe social distancing.
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Statement in full –
 
THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE
26 July 2021
Executive decisions on relaxations to Covid-19 restrictions – 26 July 2021
The Executive today gave further consideration to a number of proposed relaxations to the Covid-19 restrictions and received further advice from our health and scientific advisers.
The Executive has decided that the following easements will come into effect from 18:00 on 27 July:
Concert Venues, Theatres and Other Indoor Venues (seated)
Audiences will be permitted to return to performances.
Live music will be permitted for rehearsals and performances, with no restriction to background or ambient levels of volume.
Entry to performances for audiences will be by ticket only. Tickets must be purchased in advance of the performance.
Audiences for indoor events must have allocated seating and remain seated (unless using facilities) and are not permitted to dance.
Social distancing of 1 metre required.
At this time it is not possible to permit such events for other indoor facilities contained within larger premises. For example, function rooms of hotels are not included in today’s decisions.
Indoor Domestic Settings
Up to ten people from no more than three households will be allowed to meet in a home. If one household has ten members, the maximum is increased to 15 from no more than three households. Children 12 and under are not included.
Face Coverings in places of worship
The requirement for the wearing of face coverings in places of worship, during acts of worship, will be moved from regulations into guidance only. Face coverings will still be legally required when entering and exiting the building and will be strongly advised whilst singing or moving around the premises.
MOT Centres
The vehicle can be shared by the examiner and customer for five minutes with both wearing a face covering, for the most part the customer will be diagonally opposite the examiner while the vehicle is being driven and the examiner conducts the brake roller test.  However, for the small number of two seat vehicles, the customer will be side by side with the examiner with both wearing a face covering.
The requirement for vehicle examiners to wear face coverings at all times in the test hall will be removed as this increases the risk of trips and slips in a semi-industrial environment.
Customers will be permitted to be seated safely in the test hall for approximately eight minutes, socially distanced and wearing a face covering, while the underbody inspection of the vehicle is being conducted.
The remaining issues still awaiting ratification will be discussed further at Thursday’s Executive meeting when we expect to have a clearer picture of the link between cases and subsequent hospitalisation.
We urge everyone who can, to please get both doses of the vaccine as soon as possible to help protect yourself and others. Information is available at nidirect.gov.uk/covidvaccine as to where you can walk in for a jab or book an appointment. 
As always, we also ask everyone to continue following the public health advice to help keep yourself, and everyone else, safe.