PUBS, cafes, restaurants and hotels in the Derry and Strabane council area are to be placed under new restrictions to try and curb the spread of COVID-19, the Executive has announced.
The Executive has agreed they will only be able to open for takeaway, delivery and outdoor dining.
The measures will come into force from next week.
The Executive agreed to impose the measures at its meeting on Thursday afternoon.
Derry and Strabane has one of the highest Covid-19 rates in the UK, and on Wednesday Health Minister Robin Swann said it was inevitable additional measures would have to be introduced there.
In the last seven days, 486 people in the Derry City and Strabane District Council area have tested positive for Coronavirus – the highest of any council area in the North of Ireland.
In the last 24 hours, 52 people have tested positive within the council’s boundary, the second highest after Belfast.
That puts the council’s total for positive cases from COVID-19 at 1,052 since the pandemic erupted here in March.
The council’s death toll since March remains at 29.
As part of the new measures, Derry and Strabane council residents will be “strongly advised” to work from home where they can.
People are also being advised to avoid unnecessary travel within the council area and to and from it.
Where journeys are necessary, the advice is to walk, cycle or use private transport.
Schools and other educational settings will stay open.
Under the new rules, all museums, galleries and cultural attractions in the council area are to remain closed.
Hotels will only be allowed to provide service to overnight guests.
Foyle assembly members and other local representatives from Derry and Strabane had been called to a meeting with Executive Office representatives about the measures.
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