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Coronavirus: NI Executive publishes plan for easing lockdown Coronavirus: NI Executive publishes plan for easing lockdown
(32 minutes later)
A five-stage plan for easing the Covid-19 lockdown in Northern Ireland has been published by the executive.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.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.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 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.The document, entitled Executive Approach to Decision-Making, is being outlined in the assembly by the first and deputy first ministers.
'Be patient''Be patient'
Movement between stages will depend on progress in reducing the transmission of the virus, said First Minister Arlene Foster.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 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.""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."
"Step one" of the pathway to Recovery
Read the full document
Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill appealed to the public to "be patient".Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill appealed to the public to "be patient".
"When we're in position to slowly and carefully move out of the lockdown, we will keep you updated every step of the way," she added."When we're in position to slowly and carefully move out of the lockdown, we will keep you updated every step of the way," she added.
"It's not in the too-distant future, if people keep following the advice.""It's not in the too-distant future, if people keep following the advice."
Northern Ireland has its own powers to set and lift restrictions at different rates than in the rest of the UK.Northern Ireland has its own powers to set and lift restrictions at different rates than in the rest of the UK.
The executive must review the coronavirus regulations every three weeks, with the next due by 28 May.The executive must 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.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.
The blueprint says the executive will only decide to relax restrictions when "it is sure it is in the long term interest of the health and wellbeing" of the population.The blueprint says the executive will only decide to relax restrictions when "it is sure it is in the long term interest of the health and wellbeing" of the population.
Ms O'Neill said controlling the rate of transmission of the virus was "absolutely critical", and required before restrictions could be relaxed.Ms O'Neill said controlling the rate of transmission of the virus was "absolutely critical", and required before restrictions could be relaxed.
"We need to have in place testing, tracking and tracing arrangements to enable us to safely lift the restrictions," she added."We need to have in place testing, tracking and tracing arrangements to enable us to safely lift the restrictions," she added.
Pathway to Recovery
Step one:
Step two:
Step three:
Step Four:
Step five:
Read the full document
Why does the R-rate matter?Why does the R-rate matter?
As the infection has spread at different rates in various parts of the UK, Stormont ministers have said Northern Ireland must follow its own criteria and scientific advice.As the infection has spread at different rates in various parts of the UK, Stormont ministers have said Northern Ireland must follow its own criteria and scientific advice.
The R-value - or reproduction number - is at the heart of the executive's decision to extend the lockdown until at least the end of May.The R-value - or reproduction number - is at the heart of the executive's decision to extend the lockdown until at least the end of May.
The R-number shows how many people will get infected for every one person who gets ill.The R-number shows how many people will get infected for every one person who gets ill.
In Northern Ireland, the R-rate is sitting just below one, at 0.8-0.9, and the executive has said it must remain at a low level before restrictions can begin to be lifted.In Northern Ireland, the R-rate is sitting just below one, at 0.8-0.9, and the executive has said it must remain at a low level before restrictions can begin to be lifted.