This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-52624048

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
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 - although First Minister said she hoped to reach the final stage by December.
Progression will depend on when certain public health criteria is met, say ministers. Progression will depend on meeting key public health criteria, she added.
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 debated by the Stormont Assembly having been outlined by Mrs Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill.
'Be patient' In the first stage, groups of four to six people who do not share a household will be allowed to meet outdoors while maintaining social distancing.
Movement between stages will depend on progress in reducing the transmission of the virus, said First Minister Arlene Foster. Large outdoor-based retailers such as garden centres will also be allowed to reopen in this first stage as life edges its way back towards normality.
"We will not take a set in stone approach if there are things we can do better and do differently," she said. 'Some businesses will not survive'
Movement between stages of the Pathway to Recovery would depend on progress in reducing the transmission of the virus, said Mrs Foster.
"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."
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. Some business leaders in Northern Ireland have expressed disappointment that indicative timings have not been included in the plan, with Chief Executive of the Belfast Chamber of Commerce, Simon Hamilton, saying a timetable was needed in order for firms to plan properly.
The executive must review the coronavirus regulations every three weeks, with the next due by 28 May. But Mrs Foster said the "sad truth" was that some businesses in Northern Ireland would not survive.
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. "It's right we're honest about that," she told the assembly.
"What we have to do is to try and make sure the maximum number of businesses survive and that has always been what has driven the executive in terms of their economic interventions, put alongside Westminster government interventions."
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced that the UK scheme to pay workers on leave because of the lockdown will be extended to October.
Northern Ireland has its own powers to set and lift restrictions at different rates to the rest of the UK.
The executive must review its 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.
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. The executive's document also stresses that some steps will not apply to all sectors at the same time.
"We need to have in place testing, tracking and tracing arrangements to enable us to safely lift the restrictions," she added.
Pathway to RecoveryPathway to Recovery
Step one:Step one:
Step two:Step two:
Step three:Step three:
Step Four:Step Four:
Step five:Step five:
Read the full documentRead the full document
Why does the R-rate matter?Why does the R-rate matter?
The focus on a recovery plan comes as 438 Covid-19 related deaths, mostly comprising hospital fatalities, have been recorded by Northern Ireland's Department of Health in Northern Ireland so far.
However, that figure is likely to be higher when all fatalities in the community are recorded.
Across the UK, the death toll currently stands at 32,065 while the Republic of Ireland had recorded 1,467 fatalities by Monday.
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.
Contact tracing aims to identify and alert people who have come into contact with a person infected with coronavirus.
It largely stopped in the UK on 12 March, as the government moved into a different stage of its response to the virus, but a pilot programme recommenced in NI last month.
Mrs Foster said this was now set to be extended from 18 May.