PUBS, restaurants, cafes and bars in hotels will now have to shut their doors at 11 pm.
The new regulation comes into effect at midnight this Wednesday, September 30.
Last orders are now at 10.30 pm and all patrons must be off licensed premises by 11 pm.
The new rule was announced this morning in the Stormont Assembly by First Minister Arlene Foster.
The First Minister said there could be “no exceptions” to the rule, and it would also apply to weddings and other social gatherings.
She says Saturday was the “highest daily tally since the pandemic began”.
There were “1,513 cases were diagnosed in this last seven days alone,” says the first minister, adding that the death toll is now 578.
At present, there are 51 Covid patients in hospital across the North of Ireland, “with six in intensive care and outbreaks of the virus in 28 care homes” says Mrs Foster.
She adds that the evidence has shown that a “significant number of Covid cases” have resulted from indoor and informal gatherings.
She says “wherever people meet each other there is a risk of transmission”.
The first minister says these are “necessary and proportionate” restrictions, adding that if the number of cases were allowed to continue rising, “this will inevitably lead to an increase in hospital admissions and deaths”.
She added: “We need to stop the spread of this virus.”
Hospitality leaders had urged a later closing time here NI than in the rest of the UK, where it is 10 pm.
Colin Neill, from Hospitality Ulster, said the announcement was “another blow to our industry”.
“Every time we respect that health has to come first,” said Mr Neill.
However, he said the curfew must be kept under continuous review.
Only last week ‘wet’ pubs which serve just alcohol only opened their doors to the public last Wednesday for the first time since March.
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