Caoimhe Archibald has said businesses need direction on who can remain open and who must close in order to protect workers from COVID-19. 

Caoimhe Archibald said: 

“The issue of which businesses are classed as an essential service that can remain open and which businesses must close in order to protect staff and the wider public should already have been set out clearly. 

“This information gap now needs to be addressed urgently. 

“Businesses are already struggling as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and this uncertainty and delay is only making that worse. 

“The Executive established a forum under the Economy Department to look at this several weeks ago and it is now time businesses were given the direction they need.”