Northern Ireland to shut nightclubs as COVID-19 cases hit record high | Inquirer News

Northern Ireland to shut nightclubs as COVID-19 cases hit record high

/ 07:56 AM December 23, 2021

Northern Ireland to shut nightclubs as COVID-19 cases hit record high

FILE PHOTO: People drink indoors at Bittles Bar, as coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions begin to ease in Belfast, Northern Ireland, May 24, 2021. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

DUBLIN Northern Ireland ordered the closure of nightclubs from Sunday after reporting an all-time high of 3,231 COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, up from an average of just over 2,000 in the previous seven days due to the highly transmissible Omicron variant.

The devolved government of the British region also ordered an end to ordering at bars and limited restaurants to serve no more than six people per table.

Article continues after this advertisement

But it stopped short of matching the 8 p.m. closure imposed on hospitality venues in the neighboring Republic of Ireland last week.

FEATURED STORIES

Several members of the devolved administration have said they are limited in what they can do due to funding constraints from London.

“The precautionary approach would have been to impose much more severe restrictions right now,” said Health Minister Robin Swann. “All other things being equal, the executive would have gone further today.”

Article continues after this advertisement

A total of 2,958 people have died in the region, which has a population of 1.9 million, since the start of the pandemic, data showed after three additional deaths were reported on Wednesday.

Article continues after this advertisement

RELATED STORY

Omicron’s march revives urgent global calls for vaccinations

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

For more news about the novel coronavirus click here.
What you need to know about Coronavirus.
For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH Hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.

The Inquirer Foundation supports our healthcare frontliners and is still accepting cash donations to be deposited at Banco de Oro (BDO) current account #007960018860 or donate through PayMaya using this link.

TAGS: COVID-19, Ireland, night club, Omicron

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.