Regulations made by the Department of Health and laid before the Assembly under section 25Q (Emergency procedure) of the Public Health Act (Northern Ireland) 1967, for approval of the Assembly before the expiration of 28 days beginning with the day on which they are made.
2021 No. 224
Public Health

The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 13) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021

Made
Laid before the Assembly
Coming into operation
The Department of Health1, makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 25C(1), (3)(c), (4)(d) and 25F(2) of the Public Health Act (Northern Ireland) 19672.

These Regulations are made in response to the serious and imminent threat to public health which is posed by the incidence and spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in Northern Ireland.

The Department of Health considers that the restrictions and requirements imposed by these Regulations are proportionate to what they seek to achieve, which is a public health response to that threat.

In accordance with section 25Q of that Act the Department of Health is of the opinion that, by reason of urgency, it is necessary to make these Regulations without a draft having been laid before, and approved by a resolution of, the Assembly.

Citation and commencement

1.

(1)

These Regulations may be cited as the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 13) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021.

(2)

These Regulations come into operation at 6.00 pm on 30th July 2021.

Amendment of the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021

2.

The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 20213 are amended in accordance with these Regulations.

3.

In Regulation 4, for “Restrictions on theatres and concert halls” substitute “Restrictions on theatres, concert halls and other indoor venues”.

4.

For regulation 4(1) substitute—

“(1)

This regulation applies to the following premises—

(a)

theatres;

(b)

concert halls; and

(c)

indoor venues, other than private dwellings and those set out in subparagraphs (a) and (b), when used for the purpose of a performance, recording or rehearsal.”.

5.

In regulation 4(2)—

(a)

omit “and” at the end of subparagraph (j);

(b)

in subparagraph (k) for “or performances” substitute “, recording or as part of a performance event”;

(c)

for the full stop at the end of subparagraph (k) substitute “; and”; and

(d)

after subparagraph (k) insert—

“(l)

(if the premises to which this regulation applies forms part of larger premises) ensure that music is played at such a volume as to enable persons in other parts of the premises to conduct conversation at normal loudness of speech.”.

6.

In regulation 17(2A)(a)—

(a)

for “the premises” substitute “the indoor premises”;

(b)

after “permitted to operate in accordance with” insert “regulation 4 (Restrictions on theatres, concert halls and other indoor venues) or”;

(c)

after “but not including premises to which” omit “regulation 4 or”.

7.

In regulation 17(2B) omit “two metres”.

Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Health at 3.30 pm on 30th July 2021

(L.S.)
Prof Sir Michael McBride
A senior officer of the Department of Health
EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations amend the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 by permitting music at indoor venues in addition to theatres and concert halls, subject to certain restrictions; reduces the required social distancing to one metre in hospitality venues; and makes a number of technical corrections.

No regulatory impact assessment has been prepared for these Regulations.