WATCH: Stormont agrees live music to resume on Monday

By PA

Stormont’s Executive has agreed to press ahead with further relaxations of Covid-19 rules and will allow live music to resume in Northern Ireland from July 5.

Following a meeting on Thursday, the Executive has agreed that live music can resume on that date with no limit on sound levels and indoor music can resume at ambient level with a screen in front of the musicians, the PA news agency understands.

🎵 Great news for musicians in the north as live music will return in our pubs, venues and outdoors from Monday!

The 500 person limit on outdoor events will also be removed 🎵 @DeirdreHargey pic.twitter.com/0VD1XiwYti

— Sinn Féin (@sinnfeinireland) July 1, 2021

A cap on outdoor gatherings of 500 will be removed from Friday, although events will require a risk assessment.

Overnight residential stays for children are also set to be allowed to resume.

🎶 Update on the return of live music and crowds at outdoor events 👇🏼 pic.twitter.com/fgi8uJbyQq

— Michelle O’Neill (@moneillsf) July 1, 2021

Hospitality Ulster has welcomed the changes but is urging the Executive to lift further restrictions including the limited number allowed at tables in order to get the industry back to relative normality.

Joel Neill, Hospitality Ulster, Operations Director, said: “It is a welcome announcement today that live music can return to our pubs and music venues. It has been a long 16 months for our musicians, and the wider sector, and today’s announcement is an another step towards normality.

Music is a highly valuable offering within the hospitality industry, and as we enter into the summer months, customers will be looking for that overall entertainment experience.”

First Minister Paul Givan receives a letter of protest from buskers and musicians at Stormont this morning.

They're calling on the Executive to ease restrictions on live music performances here. pic.twitter.com/YYfySkkf3f

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) July 1, 2021

“It has become clear that the vaccine programme has been an ongoing success, with hospital numbers remaining low, even with the slight increase in the Delta variant.

''Now it is time to lift other limiting restrictions which have been placed on the hospitality sector and allow us to get back to what we do best.

''We are watching as our colleagues in England get ready for their freedom day, while we remain in limbo with no firm timetable on the next stages out of lockdown. The Executive must engage with the sector, look at the data and allow us to reopen further.”