Northern Ireland is the first country in the UK to confirm it will reopen its hotels.

July 20 is set to be the day guests are welcomed back for a night or an extended stay away from home.

So how will social distancing work and can hotels really ensure there will be no spread of the virus as people stay from one night to the next?

UTV's Gareth Wilkinson spoke to Claire Hunter of the Marine Hotel in Ballycastle as she prepared to pioneer the new normal in her industry.

The interview was recorded prior to the Republic confirming it is opening hotels at the end of June rather than be in sync with Northern Ireland.