Coffee shops, bars, restaurants and hotels can reopen from today

From today, Northern Ireland’s coffee shops, bars restaurants and hotels can reopen. This will be the first time they will have been opened for service (other than take-away) since the middle of March. However, some restrictions still remain.

Bars that serve food will be allowed to open so long as they operate using table service (so no standing and queing at the bar). Bars that do not serve food will be allowed to open but only selling alcohol to customers sitting outdoors.

Hotels can reopen but spa and leisure facilites within hotels must remain closed.

All of these businesses will still need to ensure adherance to social distancing measures and ensure proper health and safety precautions are taken, including frequent cleaning and sanitation.

The reopening has been hailed as a significant milestone in Northern Ireland’s battle with Coronavirus. The hospitality sector in Northern Ireland is worth an estimated £2bn annually and employs some 65,000 people.

Warrenpoint has a particularly large hospitality sector given the stregth of it tourism offering. It’s hotels, bars, restaurants and coffee shops have all struggled with the enforced closures although a number have adapted well to offer take-away only services.

We hope now they are reopen, that they are able to thrive and bring the best to the people and visitors of Warrenpoint.