![\"\"](\"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/2.51152928.jpg\")
Northern Ireland\u2019s hotels can reopen from July 20 as long as the rate of infection is under control, Stormont economy minister Diane Dodds said.<\/p>\nNorthern Ireland\u2019s hotels can reopen from July 20 as long as the rate of infection is under control, Stormont economy minister Diane Dodds said.<\/p>\n
The industry has been devastated by a shutdown forced by the coronavirus pandemic in March.<\/p>\n
Mrs Dodds said: \u201cCovid-19 has presented an unprecedented challenge for our tourism industry, as it has for tourism markets around the world.<\/p>\n
\u201cI believe the time is right to provide the tourist accommodation sector with clarity about opening dates.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/2.53921943.jpg\")
\u201cI want to build upon the positive progress in managing the spread of the virus and begin to reopen our tourism industry in a safe and managed way.\u201d<\/p>\n
The July 20 date covers guesthouses, guest accommodation, B&Bs, hotels and hostels.<\/p>\n
A tourism steering group will be asked to work with the sector to explore what facilities and amenities can safely be made available by hotels and recommendations will be brought to the Executive in due course.<\/p>\n
Holiday and home parks, caravan sites and self-catering properties are also covered by the July 20 date.<\/p>\n
Mrs Dodds said: \u201cAs they are self-contained and may require less advance notice before opening, the opening times for these types of accommodation may be advanced to earlier than July 20 depending on scientific advice.\u201d<\/p>\n
Northern Ireland Hotels Federation chief executive Janice Gault said it was a welcome move.<\/p>\n
She added: \u201cThis is a step forward for the industry and the federation has been working closely with industry colleagues to ensure that businesses can open in a safe and secure manner.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is more work to be done around the details of opening.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will continue to work in a collaborative manner so that the visitor economy, including the hotel sector, can return to business and help restore the Northern Ireland economy.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe safety of our staff and guests will be paramount in this process.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving an agreed date will help us to plan, promote and give businesses the opportunity to assess their viability.\u201d<\/p>\n
A hospitality workers\u2019 union, Unite, warned against the erosion of two-metre social distancing in the workplace.<\/p>\n
Hospitality organizer Neil Moore said: \u201cThere is no possible health-science basis for eroding this protection \u2013 it is a demand designed to increase profit at the cost of lives and must be resisted.\u201d<\/p>\n
Massive queues formed as home furnishings retailer Ikea opened its doors for the first time in months in Belfast on Monday.<\/p>\n