Coronavirus: NI swimming pools can reopen from Friday

Image copyright Reuters Image caption Swimming pools in leisure centres, hotels and private facilities can reopen from Friday

Swimming pools, spas and community centres in Northern Ireland can reopen from Friday after ministers agreed further moves to ease lockdown.

But, from 20 August, face coverings will become mandatory in all NI shops.

The decisions are among a raft of changes to Covid-19 rules and restrictions that were announced by the Stormont Executive on Thursday.

Ministers also agreed to request urgent talks with the UK and Irish governments to discuss Covid-19 travel issues.

The Stormont Executive will write to both governments calling for an urgent summit of the British-Irish Council to discuss the Common Travel Area arrangements in relation to the pandemic.

They also agreed that updated travel advice will be published on the NI Direct website.

Image copyright Reuters

Face coverings are already mandatory in shops in Scotland and will become compulsory in England from Friday.

Ahead of enforcing the move in Northern Ireland on 20 August, the executive has agreed to run a public information campaign to encourage shoppers to use face coverings.

Other decisions taken by the executive on Thursday include the easing of restrictions on outdoor sporting events and on social gatherings in private homes.

From Friday 24 July the following changes will take effect:

Spectators will be allowed to attend outdoor sporting venues "where the operator can control access and ensure adherence to social distancing" The number of people from different households permitted to gather in a private home rises to 10 and can consist of people from up to four different households The restriction on people staying overnight in a home other than their own will end Swimming pools in leisure centres, hotels and private facilities can reopen Saunas, steam rooms, hydro-therapy pools, cold and ice rooms, monsoon showers and sanariums are among spa facilities permitted to reopen Community centres can reopen Bowling alleys can resume operation Funfairs can also resume operating from Friday, whether they are indoors or outdoors

The executive has also agreed an indicative date of 10 August for the reopening of indoor pubs and bars that only sell alcohol.

This move will be confirmed at a later date, depending on the prevalence of Covid-19 in the community.

Pubs that only sell alcohol in the Republic of Ireland are also due to reopen on 10 August.

Following the announcement that spectators can attend outdoor sporting events, the Irish Football Association confirmed it plans on having a limited number of fans at next week's Irish Cup Final at Windsor Park.

Earlier on Thursday, the Department of Health revealed a coronavirus contact tracing app for Northern Ireland will be launched next week