The Northern Ireland Executive are set to meet today to discuss a further relaxation of lockdown measures.
This news follows the replacement of the "Stay At Home" requirement with a "Stay Local" and "Work from home" message after coronavirus restrictions were eased further in Northern Ireland on Apr 12.
The changes mean up to 10 people from no more than two households can now meet outdoors in a private garden.
Click and collect at all non-essential retail outlets is also allowed to take place, and outdoor retail such as car dealerships and garden centres can reopen. Outdoor sports training can resume for sports clubs with no more than 15 participants in one training group, while indoor club facilities, apart from toilets, are to remain closed.
The remainder of school children, years 8 to 11, were also allowed to return to classrooms on Apr 12 following the staggering reopening of schools in early March.
Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill said she was “hopeful” the Executive could announce specific dates on the further easing of Covid-19 restrictions this Thursday, Apr 15.
“I’m hopeful that by Thursday we’ll be able to announce dates for other things being able to open up because of a combination of reasons and the factors look good where we have the headroom in which to move.
“The vaccination programme is strong, our ICU numbers are coming down, our number of positive cases are coming down so that does lead to a very encouraging situation", she said.
But when asked if April 26 will see hairdressers, non-essential retail and hospitality reopen, the Sinn Fein vice president said she could not confirm that.
People planning weddings will be permitted to view potential venues for ceremonies at a limit of up to four people. The number of people allowed to attend such ceremonies will also increase, at a level informed by a risk assessment for the venue.
Ministers have not made travel outside of the country illegal, but instead issued guidance advising against non-essential travel between Northern Ireland and both Great Britain and the Irish Republic.
These measures form part of the Executive's Pathway Out Of Restrictions blueprint, which was signed on Mar 2.
It includes five steps along nine pathways - retail; hospitality; education and young people; work; culture, heritage and entertainment; sports and leisure; travel and tourism; worship and ceremonies; and home and community.
The five stages of restriction begin with lockdown then extend to cautious first steps, gradual easing, further easing, and preparing for the future.
The Executive will review the progress of the pathway every four weeks.
As of Apr 14, 838,049 people have received their first dose of the vaccine, and 224,129 second doses have also been administered in Northern Ireland.
The vaccination programme has now been widened to those aged 40-44, with people being able to book a vaccine appointment from Apr 8.
All those who are eligible can book to receive their jab at a vaccination centre or participating community pharmacy, as well as the option of waiting for their GP to contact them to arrange their jab.
Robin Swann, Northern Ireland's Health Minister, said he would encourage everyone who is eligible to make arrangements as soon as possible.
It comes after Patricia Donnelly, the head of the vaccine rollout in Northern Ireland, said on Mar 18 that issues with AstraZeneca supply lines across the UK will not have a huge impact on the timeline for administering jabs in the region.
Ms Donnelly told the Assembly's Health committee that plans had been flexed to make more use of Pfizer jabs pending the arrival of further AstraZeneca stock.
She said all first jab appointments already booked will be honoured and those expecting a second jab will also receive it, while more people would continue to get first jabs in April but at a slightly reduced rate.
"I think, worst case scenario, it probably puts us back by four weeks," she told the committee.
"The mitigation measures that we put in place we hope will only delay us by two weeks, so it won't have a huge impact."
What are the rules?
These are the rules in place from Apr 12:
- Essential retail and hospitality services can now trade beyond the previous curfew hours of 8 pm. Delivery takeaway services are allowed until 11 pm.
- Hospitality venues such as cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars and social clubs must remain closed, with the exception of providing food and drink for takeaway, drive-through or delivery.
- Close contact services such as hairdressers and beauty salons must close
- Gyms must close, with personal exercise only permitted outside
- Churches can resume services, with weddings and funerals have a cap of 25 people
- Households are not allowed to mix indoors except for certain exceptions, including support bubbles, childcare and maintenance work
- 10 people from no more than two households can now meet outdoors in a private garden including children
- Indoor sports are banned except for professional athletes
- Leisure and entertainment venues such as theatres, concert halls, cinemas, amusement arcades, bingo halls, bowling alleys and skating rinks must close
- Overnight stays are banned unless it is with a member of your bubble
- Higher education institutions, such as universities must deliver distanced learning
- People should work from home unless unable to do so
How are the restrictions enforced?
The police are able to take action against those who break these rules, including asking people to disperse and issuing £100 fixed penalty notices. For repeat offenders, these fines can increase up to £3,200.
People aged 18 or over can be fined:
£200 for the first offence, lowered to £100 if paid within 14 days, £400 for the second offence, then doubling for each further offence up to a maximum of £6,400.
A new £800 fine has been implemented from Jan 25 for anybody who attends a gathering of more than 15 people. This fine, announced on Jan 21, will be doubled for each repeat offence.
Can I travel to Northern Ireland?
Boris Johnson announced a roadmap out of the restrictions back in Feb, which outlined how certain sectors will reopen. As part of these plans, the Prime Minister has stated that travelling outside of the country is not allowed until at least May 17.
The Executive have also issued guidance against all but essential travel between Northern Ireland, the UK and the Irish Republic.
People arriving in Northern Ireland should self-isolate for 10 days.
Hotels and other accommodation providers can operate on a restricted basis for those already resident, for work related purposes, for vulnerable people, those in emergency situations and people unable to return home.
