By 
THE rising number of Covid-19 cases in the North prompted the introduction of a raft of new regulations.
Primarily, the restrictions prohibit the mixing of households in private dwellings. However, households can form a bubble with one other household.
These two households can be any size. However, gatherings indoors should be no more than six people.
Children aged 12 and under from those two households are not counted in this total.
Exemptions apply for those with caring responsibilities, including childcare and people can continue to provide support for elderly relatives or dependents.
Outdoor gatherings have also been advised against, with no more than six people allowed to meet in a private garden from no more than two households.
Workers, builders, trades people and other professionals can continue to go into people’s houses to carry out work such as repairs, installations and deliveries.
To protect patients, residents and staff from Covid-19, visits to health and social care facilities have been reduced, with just one face-to-face visit per week by one person being facilitated.
Pubs
Meanwhile, a number of restrictions were also been introduced to allow the opening of ‘wet’ pubs.
Under the current regulations, a maximum of six people from no more than two households can be seated at a table in a venue where alcohol may be consumed.
When eating out in a venue where alcohol may be consumed, food and drink are only allowed to be consumed when individuals are seated at a table.
Apart from entering and leaving the premises, the only movement allowed is to access toilet facilities or to select food from a buffet – however, social distancing must be maintained.
Venues will also be required to collect customer details to help with the ‘Test, Trace, Protect’ contact tracing programme. The regulations do not restrict hotel, guesthouse or self-catering accommodation stays.