The Department of Health has made a Statutory Rule entitled "The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 ", (S.R. 2021 No.109) which came into operation on 23 and 30 April 2021.

The Rule amends the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021 (“the principal regulations”)

The Rule allows, from the 23rd of April 2021, close contact services including driving instruction and hairdressing to resume by appointment, it allows outdoor visitor attractions including outdoor activity centres to reopen, Equine Assisted Therapy and Learning (EATL) for up to 30 people may resume, outdoor sport organised by a club, individual or individuals affiliated to a sport body or organisation is permitted for squad training, and competitive sport with numbers up to 100 and static band practice or rehearsal is permitted outdoors.

The Rule also allows, from the 30th of April 2021, the number permitted to gather outdoors at a private dwelling to be increased from 10 to 15 people from no more than 3 households, retail businesses may reopen, overnight stays are permitted in self-contained tourist accommodation for one household only, licensed and unlicensed premises may reopen, outdoors only, with a maximum of 6 people from 2 households per table with contact details recorded, the curfew on takeaways and off licences is removed and indoor activities in gyms, swimming pools and other sports venues are permitted individually, with a carer, or with a trainer or coach. Other regulations make consequential or technical amendments.

The rule may be purchased from the Stationery office at www.tsoshop.co.uk or by contacting TSO Customer Services on 0333 202 5070, or viewed online at http://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr