23 November 2020

This update covers:

  • Northern Ireland: new two-week ‘circuit breaker’ lockdown.

Northern Ireland: new two-week ‘circuit breaker’ lockdown

A two-week 'circuit breaker' will begin just after midnight on Friday, 27 November 2020 to slow the spread of coronavirus in the community and protect the health service. This means that the last day close contact businesses such as hair and beauty can operate in Northern Ireland is Thursday, 26 November 2020. This includes:

  • Those who provide mobile close contact services from their homes and in other people’s homes, and those in retail environments
  • Hair and beauty in vocational training environments.

Close contact services relating to the continuation of essential health interventions and therapeutics can still operate. 

The new restrictions will cover two weeks from 27 November until 11 December 2020. We have asked the Northern Ireland Executive if businesses are allowed to reopen on 11 or 12 December.

Find out more on the Northern Ireland Executive website.

Find out what financial help is available in Northern Ireland.

See all updates