Requirement in relation to social distancingN.I.
17.—(1) A person responsible for the organisation or operation of a relevant place [F1or a relevant hospitality venue] (P) must take reasonable measures to ensure that P's servants and agents, and visitors to the place, comply with social distancing measures at all times.
(2) “Relevant place” means—
(a)a shop;
(b)an enclosed shopping centre and for these purposes premises are “enclosed” if they would be considered enclosed or substantially enclosed for the purposes of regulation 2 of the Smoke-free (Premises, Vehicle Operators and Penalty Notices) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007.
F2(c). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[F3(2A) “Relevant hospitality venue” means—
(a)the premises of a business or a members’ club which sells or provides food or drink (whether or not including intoxicating liquor) for consumption on the premises and which is permitted to operate in accordance with regulation 5 (Restrictions on licenced and unlicenced premises); or
(b)an indoor attraction including an amusement arcade, a bingo hall, a museum, a gallery or a cinema.
(2B) “Social distance” means one metre in a relevant hospitality venue and two metres in a relevant place.]
(3) “Social distancing measures” means measures for the purpose of minimising the risk of exposure to, or spread of, coronavirus and includes ensuring—
(a)that P's servants and agents, and visitors to a relevant place [F4or a relevant hospitality venue,] are provided with information on how to minimise the risk of exposure to and the spread of coronavirus;
(b)that the persons referred to in paragraph (a) maintain a [F5social distance] from each other (unless members of the same [F6household, a bubble or a party seated at the same table in accordance with regulation 5(1)(d)]) by altering the layout of a relevant place [F7or a relevant hospitality venue] including those parts to which visitors do not customarily have access, managing and controlling the use of points of access and egress, shared facilities (such as toilets) and managing and controlling the means of moving from one part of a relevant place [F7or a relevant hospitality venue] to another;
(c)that persons waiting to enter a relevant place [F8or a relevant hospitality venue] maintain a [F9social distance] from each other (unless members of the same [F10household or a bubble]);
(d)that a relevant place is regularly cleaned, hygiene is maintained and in particular points or places which are likely to be used frequently by servants, agents and visitors (such as entry barriers and gates and card terminals) are regularly sanitised.
(4) Where it is not reasonably practicable for a social distance F11... to be maintained, P must take reasonable steps to ensure that—
(a)close face to face contact between persons is limited;
(b)barriers or screens are installed and maintained; and
(c)personal protective equipment is used where appropriate and is made readily available.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in reg. 17(1) inserted (28.5.2021 at 1.30 p.m.) by The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 5) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (S.R. 2021/141), regs. 1(2), 8
F2Reg. 17(2)(c) omitted (24.5.2021) by virtue of The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 4) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (S.R. 2021/130), regs. 1(2), 28
F3Reg. 17(2A)(2B) inserted (24.5.2021) by The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 4) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (S.R. 2021/130), regs. 1(2), 29
F4Words in reg. 17(3)(a) inserted (24.5.2021) by The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 4) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (S.R. 2021/130), regs. 1(2), 30
F5Words in reg. 17(3)(b) substituted (24.5.2021) by The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 4) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (S.R. 2021/130), regs. 1(2), 31
F6Words in reg. 17(3)(b) substituted (30.4.2021 at 6.00 p.m.) by The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 3) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (S.R. 2021/117), regs. 1(2), 2(c)
F7Words in reg. 17(3)(b) inserted (28.5.2021 at 1.30 p.m.) by The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 5) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (S.R. 2021/141), regs. 1(2), 9
F8Words in reg. 17(3)(c) inserted (28.5.2021 at 1.30 p.m.) by virtue of The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 5) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (S.R. 2021/141), regs. 1(2), 10
F9Words in reg. 17(3)(c) substituted (24.5.2021) by The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 4) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (S.R. 2021/130), regs. 1(2), 31
F10Words in reg. 17(3)(c) substituted (23.4.2021) by The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (S.R. 2021/109), regs. 1(2), 21
F11Words in reg. 17(4) omitted (24.5.2021) by virtue of The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 4) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (S.R. 2021/130), regs. 1(2), 32