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Coronavirus: How lockdown rules differ in Northern Ireland Coronavirus: How lockdown rules differ in Northern Ireland
(3 days later)
The Northern Ireland Executive has published its five-stage plan for slowly easing the coronavirus lockdown.The Northern Ireland Executive has published its five-stage plan for slowly easing the coronavirus lockdown.
Unlike the recovery plan in the Republic of Ireland, the blueprint for NI does not include projected dates.Unlike the recovery plan in the Republic of Ireland, the blueprint for NI does not include projected dates.
The current lockdown remains in place until 28 May, but from Monday, some aspects of the first stage of the executive's plan will be allowed to begin. The current lockdown remains in place until 28 May, but from 18 May, some aspects of the first stage of the executive's plan have taken effect.
Movement between each of the five stages will depend on progress in reducing the transmission of the virus, being guided primarily by medical and scientific evidence and the NHS's capacity to cope, the executive has said.Movement between each of the five stages will depend on progress in reducing the transmission of the virus, being guided primarily by medical and scientific evidence and the NHS's capacity to cope, the executive has said.
Northern Ireland's Pathway to Recovery is broken down into sections covering family, work, exercise, education, travel and retail. Northern Ireland's Pathway to Recovery plan is broken down into sections covering family, work, exercise, education, travel and retail.
Here's a look at how the plans compare to both the measures announced by the prime minister on Monday - which only apply in England - and the Republic of Ireland's roadmap. Here's a look at how the plans compare to both the measures announced by the prime minister last week - which only apply in England - and the Republic of Ireland's roadmap.
WorkWork
Step one of the loosening of restrictions in Northern Ireland will see those unable to work from home encouraged to go back to work on a phased basis. Step one of the loosening of restrictions in Northern Ireland sees those unable to work from home encouraged to go back to work on a phased basis.
In the Republic of Ireland, phase one measures are set to begin on Monday 18 May. There will be a phased return of outdoor workers, for example construction workers and gardeners, with social distancing rules enforced. In the Republic of Ireland, phase one measures began on Monday 18 May, introducing a phased return of outdoor workers, for example construction workers and gardeners, with social distancing rules enforced.
Anyone else who can work from home is to continue to do so.Anyone else who can work from home is to continue to do so.
People in England who can't work from home - particularly in construction and manufacturing - are already being actively encouraged to go to work. People in England who can't work from home - particularly in construction and manufacturing - are also being actively encouraged to go to work.
They should still avoid public transport if possible because of social distancing and employers should make workplaces "Covid-secure" - by staggering shifts, rethinking shared equipment or planning safe walking routes.They should still avoid public transport if possible because of social distancing and employers should make workplaces "Covid-secure" - by staggering shifts, rethinking shared equipment or planning safe walking routes.
ExerciseExercise
In Northern Ireland, phase one will see outdoor spaces and public sports amenities reopen. In Northern Ireland, phase one sees outdoor spaces and public sports amenities reopen.
People will be able to continue to run, walk and cycle but some other activities will be permitted again, including water sports, golf and tennis. People will be able to continue to run, walk and cycle but from Tuesday 19 May, some other activities are permitted again, including water sports, golf and tennis.
Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots has said from Monday 18 May, angling will be permitted as it is a sport where social distancing is easily achieved. From 18 May, ministers had agreed angling could already be permitted.
In the Republic of Ireland, some outdoor activities will be allowed from 18 May. In the Republic of Ireland, some outdoor activities are allowed from 18 May.
At the moment, people can only exercise within a 5km limit of their home but, from next week, golf courses will be allowed to reopen on a restricted basis along with sports pitches and tennis courts where social distancing can be maintained. It means golf courses can reopen on a restricted basis along with sports pitches and tennis courts where social distancing can be maintained.
People will also be allowed to exercise in a group of no more than four people where social distancing can be applied. People are also allowed to exercise in a group of no more than four people, where social distancing can be applied.
In England, from Wednesday people can take "unlimited amounts of outdoor exercise" and generally spend more time outdoors for leisure purposes. In England, people can take "unlimited amounts of outdoor exercise" and generally spend more time outdoors for leisure purposes.
Sports such as golf, basketball, tennis and fishing will now be allowed involving members of the same household. Sports such as golf, basketball, tennis and fishing are now allowed involving members of the same household.
People will also be free to sit in parks, and be able to play sports with people from the same household. People are also free to sit in parks, and to play sports with people from the same household.
Driving to a beach or park is also permitted. However, social distancing rules - keeping at least 2m apart from non-household members - still apply.Driving to a beach or park is also permitted. However, social distancing rules - keeping at least 2m apart from non-household members - still apply.
Family and communityFamily and community
From Monday 18 May, marriage ceremonies for the terminally ill will be allowed in Northern Ireland - but it is a very slight aspect of the executive's plan for step one. From Monday 18 May, marriage ceremonies for the terminally ill are allowed in Northern Ireland.
First Minister Arlene Foster said ministers had authorised the move after hearing the case of a terminally ill woman who wants to get married.First Minister Arlene Foster said ministers had authorised the move after hearing the case of a terminally ill woman who wants to get married.
Elements of step one not yet approved will allow drive-through church services and churches will be allowed to open for private prayer with appropriate distancing and cleaning. After a further executive meeting, it was agreed that from Tuesday 19 May, drive-through church services can be held and churches can open for private prayer with appropriate distancing and cleaning.
Groups of between four and six people who do not share a household will be allowed to meet up outdoors while maintaining social distancing. Groups of up to six people who do not share a household will be allowed to meet up outdoors while maintaining social distancing.
With the exception of people who are shielding, visits to immediate family indoors will be allowed, provided social distancing is adhered to. However, ministers did not reach agreement to allow visits to immediate family indoors yet, despite it being part of the first step of the recovery plan.
In the Republic of Ireland, up to four people who do not live together can meet outdoors, while keeping at least 2m apart.In the Republic of Ireland, up to four people who do not live together can meet outdoors, while keeping at least 2m apart.
In England new guidelines allow one person to meet one other person from outside their household outdoors - as long as they stay more than 2m apart.In England new guidelines allow one person to meet one other person from outside their household outdoors - as long as they stay more than 2m apart.
However, this does not include meeting up in private gardens.However, this does not include meeting up in private gardens.
ShoppingShopping
Northern Ireland's ministers have said that from Monday 18 May, garden centres and recycling centres can reopen, if social distancing measures can be maintained. In Northern Ireland, garden centres and recycling centres can now reopen, if social distancing measures can be maintained.
It is the only aspect of phase one concerning shopping being implemented so far, which also includes plans to permit drive-in cinemas. Drive-in cinemas and drive-in music events are allowed from Tuesday 19 May.
Pubs, cinemas, gyms, non-essential retail stores and hairdressers must still remain closed.Pubs, cinemas, gyms, non-essential retail stores and hairdressers must still remain closed.
In the Republic of Ireland shops that are primarily outdoor can open from Monday. This includes garden centres, hardware stores and farmers' markets, provided they can enforce social distancing. In the Republic of Ireland shops that are primarily outdoor-based can now reopen. This includes garden centres, hardware stores and farmers' markets, provided they can enforce social distancing.
Opticians, homeware shops, motor and bicycle retail and repair businesses, office product retailers, electrical stores, IT businesses and phone shops and repairers will also be able to open again.Opticians, homeware shops, motor and bicycle retail and repair businesses, office product retailers, electrical stores, IT businesses and phone shops and repairers will also be able to open again.
There have been no significant changes to the rules in England, with the exception of those workers who cannot work from home being encouraged to return.There have been no significant changes to the rules in England, with the exception of those workers who cannot work from home being encouraged to return.
SchoolsSchools
Stormont ministers had already ruled out a return of schools before the summer, with Education Minister Peter Weir saying he believed a phased return would not happen until September.Stormont ministers had already ruled out a return of schools before the summer, with Education Minister Peter Weir saying he believed a phased return would not happen until September.
That would tie in with the start of a new educational year.That would tie in with the start of a new educational year.
There are therefore no changes proposed for phase one.There are therefore no changes proposed for phase one.
Remote learning will still take place and plans are being worked out that would look at reducing the numbers of pupils in class sizes.Remote learning will still take place and plans are being worked out that would look at reducing the numbers of pupils in class sizes.
The Republic of Ireland intends to begin a phased reopening on schools on 10 August, in measures included in the last step of its five-stage recovery plan, with creches and pre-schools potentially returning sooner, on 20 July.The Republic of Ireland intends to begin a phased reopening on schools on 10 August, in measures included in the last step of its five-stage recovery plan, with creches and pre-schools potentially returning sooner, on 20 July.
In England, primary schools may be able to re-open "in stages" from 1 June at the earliest.In England, primary schools may be able to re-open "in stages" from 1 June at the earliest.
The government says it is also an "ambition" to give secondary pupils doing exams next year some time with their teachers before the summer holidays.The government says it is also an "ambition" to give secondary pupils doing exams next year some time with their teachers before the summer holidays.