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. 91
Public Health

The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment No. 7) 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, commencement and interpretation1.

(1)

These Regulations may be cited as the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment No. 7) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021.

(2)

These Regulations come into operation on 1st April 2021.

Amendment of the Health Protection (Coroavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 20202.

(1)

The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 20203 are amended as follows.

(2)

In Regulation 5B(3)(c) omit “and the purpose is exercise but not training”.

(3)

In paragraph 1(7) of schedule 1, for “Swimming and diving pools” substitute “Indoor swimming and diving pools”.

(4)

For paragraph 1(8) of schedule 1 substitute—

“(8)

(a)

Indoor sports and exercise facilities, including soft play areas, leisure centres, gyms, equestrian centres, venues relating to motor sport and activity centres, except as permitted by Regulation 5B (Sporting events), but

(b)

indoor toilet facilities of a sports or exercise facility, and access thereto, may be opened for use by persons taking part in a lawful outdoor sporting event at an outdoor area of that sports or exercise facility.”.

(5)

In paragraph 1(9) of schedule 1, after “Outdoor sports and exercise facilities including” insert “outdoor swimming and diving pools,”.

Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Health at 12.00 noon on 31st March 2021

(L.S.)
Nigel McMahon
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) (No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 by an exemption for gatherings of up to ten persons from no more than two households in relation to certain sporting activity.

No regulatory impact assessment has been prepared for these Regulations.