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A five-stage plan for easing the Covid-19 lockdown in Northern Ireland has been published by the executive.
Unlike plans announced in England and the Republic of Ireland, NI’s blueprint does not include a timetable for moving from one step to the next.
Progression will depend on when certain public health criteria is met, say ministers.
The first step includes changes to rules on exercise and allowing churches to open for private prayer.
The document, entitled Executive Approach to Decision-Making, is being outlined in the assembly by the first and deputy first ministers.
Movement between stages will depend on progress in reducing the transmission of the virus, said First Minister Arlene Foster.
“We will not take a set in stone approach if there are things we can do better and do differently,” she said.
“We will not be driven by a timetable and we know some will be disappointed by that – but our roadmap doesn’t answer every query, it provides people with an indication of how things might move in the weeks and months ahead.”
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NI Executive
Different stages of how the lockdown will be eased have been set out
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NI Executive
Northern Ireland has its own powers to set and lift restrictions at different rates than in the rest of the UK.
The executive will review the coronavirus regulations every three weeks, with the next due by 28 May.
In some reviews, no changes may be recommended but the roadmap will be flexible and each process of review will not be linked to the next step of relaxations.
