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Northern Ireland Prime Minister Arlene Foster has confirmed that the easing of coronavirus restrictions will take place as planned tomorrow.
He said the Stormont Executive heard an update on the transmission of the virus and agreed that the current R number, which is around 1, has given him the “necessary margin to move forward with the planned changes.”
However, he cautioned that while shopping, hospitality parts and close contact services may resume, the public should follow health guidelines.
His comments come as Northern Ireland reported an additional 14 coronavirus-related deaths and 441 new confirmed cases.
The death toll in the north now stands at 1,099 with 56,719 confirmed infections.
Ms. Foster defended the decision to ease the restrictions. “We have not seen the impact of these last two weeks of restrictions,” he said.
“Of course we are very disappointed to see the number of deaths this week, 73, it is a large number and therefore when we look at these figures it is important that we realize that it comes after two weeks in which already we had no restrictions. “
“People have to realize that personal responsibility is the key issue here. We have planned for people to be able to get together over Christmas, but they need to do it safely, and just because we say you can doesn’t mean you have to. “. And that is very important.
“Yes, we leave the restrictions tonight and we enter tomorrow morning, but we are very aware of where the R number is.
“We will look at it again next week and the following week to see where we are going with the restrictions.”
Some restrictions will be eased starting tomorrow, but the need for all of us to follow public health guidelines will not be alleviated. pic.twitter.com/hMBD5PXhOL
– Arlene Foster # We will meet again (@DUPleader) December 10, 2020
Ms Foster said that Covid ambassadors will be in city centers to provide advice.
Restrictions on the sport will be maintained, including outdoor exercise limited to groups of 15 and spectators at outdoor sports matches limited to 500.
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She said gyms, swimming and diving pools can be opened for individual or individual training and physical education can continue in schools, but sports accessories are not allowed between schools.
Meanwhile, church services can take place with the faithful covering their faces.
Earlier, Stormont Health Minister Robin Swann asked people who opposed Covid-19 vaccination on anti-abortion reasons to think again.
Minister Swann said some pro-life activists are criticizing a vaccination program that will save many lives. “The Covid-19 vaccination program is not mandatory. People have the right to have their own views and I fully respect that.
“However, they have no right to mislead others and potentially discourage them from taking a vaccine that will protect them from a deadly virus.
“Making unsubstantiated claims on social media is crossing the line and I urge you to think again.
“First of all, it should be noted that the Pfizer vaccine does not contain human cells.
“Second, and fundamentally, you have to remember that vaccines have saved millions of lives around the world.”
In a statement, Swann said: “We need widespread adoption of the Covid-19 vaccine in Northern Ireland to protect the population, particularly the elderly and vulnerable citizens of our community.”
“Widespread adoption will also help us gradually move towards loosening restrictions in society.
“It is disappointing that people who call themselves pro-life oppose the vaccination program that will save many lives.”
It is the case that the development and testing of some vaccines may include the use of human cell lines grown in the laboratory, having been replicated from fetal cells obtained in previous decades after abortions.
“If people want to object on those grounds and leave themselves unprotected from Covid-19, that’s their choice.
“In matters of conscience, I believe that saving the lives of our fellow citizens here and now must come first.”
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