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The Northern Ireland Executive has released a five-point plan for a gradual exit from Covid-19 restrictions.
The plan was released when the official death toll from coronavirus in Northern Ireland rose to 447, and nine more deaths were announced today.
The Executive’s plan points to a “gradual decrease” in both hospital admissions and intensive care unit occupancy, “reflecting a reduction in virus transmission here and the progression of the epidemic.”
However, the document says “it is currently unclear” how long those who have recovered from Covid-19 will retain immunity.
Here we look at the impact of Covid-19 in Northern Ireland and what will be the first restrictions to relax.
What impact has the coronavirus had on Northern Ireland?
As of May 12, 34,144 people in the region had been tested for Covid-19, with 4,193 laboratory-confirmed cases and 447 reported deaths.
However, after seven weeks of blocking measures, while the total number of cases continues to increase, it is slower than before.
The measure R of virus transmission has been estimated at 0.8.
What will be the first regulations to be relaxed in Northern Ireland?
The Executive’s five-step plan proposes a gradual lifting of regulations, starting with allowing more outdoor spaces to open and people from different homes to gather outside, as well as church services and movie theaters, churches that open for private prayer and more sports. , including some water activities, golf and tennis.
The first step will also see the reopening of outdoor stores such as garden centers, although partner cafes and restaurants can only offer a take-out / pick-up service.
What about steps two and three?
The second step will be the resumption of small group team sports training, the reopening of some open-air libraries and museums, as well as the opening of non-food stores, before the third step when there are more libraries, as well as museums and galleries, It will reopen, and concert and theater rehearsals will resume. There will also be a gradual return to the job office and the expansion of schools.
Steps four and five?
The fourth step is planned to see socially distant church services, the resumption of competitive sports behind closed doors, the reopening of leisure centers and the resumption of open-air concerts in a restricted way, as well as the reopening of the halls of beauty and further expansion of school supply.
The fifth step includes the reopening of restaurants, pubs and cafes, schools that resume full-time hours, the resumption of close physical contact sports, the return of competitive sports and spectators at live events on a restricted basis.
You will also see the reopening of nightclubs and concerts on a limited basis.
On what date will each step be activated?
The Executive has not included any date in its plan. He explained that it will be led by science and not by a “calendar that establishes artificial deadlines.”
Prime Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy Prime Minister Michelle O’Neill have called for patience, acknowledging that the roadmap “does not answer all questions,” explaining that it gives an indication of “how things could move in the coming weeks and months. “
Ms. O’Neill added: “It is not in the very distant future, if people follow the advice.”
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