The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021

Requirement in relation to social distancing

17.—(1) A person responsible for the organisation or operation of a relevant place (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.

(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, 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 distance of 2 metres from each other (unless members of the same or a linked household) by altering the layout of a relevant place 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 to another;

(c) that persons waiting to enter a relevant place maintain a distance of 2 metres from each other (unless members of the same or a linked household);

(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 of 2 metres 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.