Brighter days are ahead for Northern Ireland with dates to look forward to in the road to recovery from lockdown.
It's been over one full year since the first introduction of coronavirus restrictions and we've been living with social distancing and mask wearing since then.
However as new cases of the virus continue to drop and the Department of Health is reporting fewer deaths linked to Covid-19 each day, there is now room for relaxations.
Last week, the Executive announced a range of measures that could be lifted over the course of the next month.
The first of those relaxations will come into effect this week.
From Friday, April 23:
- Resumption of driving instruction and theory tests;
- Driving testing can resume;
- Re-opening of close contact services including training;
- Re-opening of outdoor visitor attractions including outdoor activity centres;
- Resumption of Equine Assisted Therapy and Learning (EATL) on an indoor and outdoor basis in gatherings of up to 30 people;
- Outdoor sport organised by a club, individual or individuals affiliated will be extended to include squad training;
- Competitive outdoor sport organised by a club, individual or individuals affiliated, with participant numbers not exceeding 100 and no spectators permitted can return and
- Static band practice/rehearsal will be permitted in agreed outdoor locations.
Speaking after announcing the above, First Minister Arlene Foster said: “This is a landmark day for Northern Ireland as we step firmly and with confidence on our pathway to recovery.
“I am pleased and proud that through our collective efforts we have reached a point where we have established a good level of control over the virus.
“We are now entering brighter and better times.
“This balanced package of relaxations will restore those familiar aspects of everyday life that have been missed dearly.
“I urge everyone to stay with us and keep following the health advice so that we can continue with our plans to more fully open up our society over coming weeks.”
