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Updated 9 minutes ago
NORTHERN IRELAND’S PRIME Minister said the region has started a cautious but optimistic journey out of the lockdown while describing a series of relaxations.
Arlene Foster told the Stormont Assembly that the measures agreed to by the power-sharing administration were modest but proportionate.
The relaxations announced today include a schedule for all schoolchildren to return to school in Northern Ireland.
They focus on outdoor gatherings and sports activities, as well as click and pickup services for non-essential outlets.
The “stay home” rule is also scheduled to wake up next month, replaced by a “stay home” message.
Decisions were made in accordance with the Road to Recovery Executive’s strategy, which was agreed to earlier this month.
“To sum up our rationale in one sentence: cautious but optimistic,” said Ms. Foster.
“Small steps along the way, with time built in to help us assess the impact on the ground.
“It is time to reflect, analyze the data and structure the next steps of the Pathway in that context.”
Deputy Prime Minister Michelle O’Neill welcomed the first steps out of lockdown.
“Today’s decisions are very positive and represent a gradual and safe way out of restrictions,” he said.
“It is a day of hope for young people, families, sports and, indeed, companies.”
Elementary students in the younger age groups are back in class and high school students in the older age groups are due to return on Monday, March 22.
The ministers have also agreed that the remaining primary school students will also return on March 22.
The final cohort of high school students will return to school on April 12 after the Easter break, although this step is subject to an executive review of the public health landscape in late March.
Regarding the broader blocking restrictions, the ministers agreed:
From April 1
– Up to six people from no more than two households can meet outdoors in a private garden.
– Ten people, from no more than two households, capable of participating in outdoor sports activities. Golf courses to reopen (clubhouses will be closed).
– Click shopping and pickup are allowed at garden centers and plant nurseries.
As of April 12
– Up to 10 people from no more than two households can meet outdoors in a private garden.
– Click and collect at all non-essential outlets.
– Elevation of the “stay at home” requirement. It will be replaced by the “stay local” message.
– Outdoor sports training to resume for sports clubs affiliated with recognized governing bodies with no more than 15 participants in a training group. The indoor club facilities, in addition to the restrooms, will remain closed.
Final ratification
The Executive has also amended the regulations on elite sports to allow two World Cup qualifying matches to be held on March 25 and 31, as well as a friendly match between Northern Ireland and the United States on March 28. March.
Spectators will not be allowed at any sporting event.
The April 12 measures are subject to final ratification by the Executive the week prior to their entry into force, probably April 8.
Foster described the decisions to the Assembly on behalf of the power-sharing administration.
The moves were agreed today in a virtual executive meeting.
Foster referred to the concept of “social contact capital” when he explained that lifting some restrictions meant that others had to be kept in place.
He said that the Executive had an “amount of capital for decision-making that we can afford to spend.”
He said ministers must “spend it wisely” and “in the interest of as many people as possible.”
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“If we spend the capital on a restraint easement, it can’t be spent on other things at the same time,” he told the MLAs.
The Prime Minister said the executive “will work to overcome the restrictions in a careful and managed manner at each four-week checkpoint.”
‘A long way to go’
The DUP leader acknowledged that those in the retail sector may be disappointed by the scope of the announced moves.
“For our colleagues in the retail sector, we realize that today’s developments are modest and we have a long way to go,” he said.
“We appreciate your patience and recognize that large sectors of retail have been in the forefront throughout the year. We as an Executive thank everyone who has supplied products, stocked shelves, served customers and cared for us over an extended period of time. “
O’Neill said the ministers had kept the promises made in the exit strategy from the blockade.
“We said that we would be gradual, that we would be cautious, that we would be sustainable, that we would stay in one direction and we believe that what we have achieved today really keeps it on track,” he said.
Sinn Fein’s vice president said it was understandable that people were looking at other regions where restrictions were being lifted at a faster rate.
“We established our plan and said very clearly that we only want to move forward, we do not want to go back, so we have to be a little more cautious and gradual,” he said.
Northern Ireland has been living under restrictive lockdown measures since a spike in coronavirus cases in December.
The Executive’s lockout exit strategy includes five steps along nine pathways: retail; hospitality; education and youth; works; culture, heritage and entertainment; Sports and Leisure; travel and tourism; worship and ceremonies; and home and community.
The five stages of restraint begin with blocking and then work through cautious first steps, gradual relaxation, further relaxation, and preparation for the future.
The plan does not include set dates.
The Northern Ireland Department of Health today confirmed the death of one more person who previously tested positive for Covid-19.
There were also 164 other confirmed cases of the virus.
The department’s confirmed number of hospitalized coronavirus patients was 176 this morning, 18 of whom were in intensive care.
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