Stormont is told to ‘get a move on’ with its roadmap out of lockdown

Stormont has been told to “get a move on” after the Northern Ireland Executive missed its own deadline to produce a roadmap out of lockdown .
Lockdown restrictions, due to COVid-19,  continue across Belfast and Northern IrelandLockdown restrictions, due to COVid-19,  continue across Belfast and Northern Ireland
Lockdown restrictions, due to COVid-19, continue across Belfast and Northern Ireland

First Minister Arlene Foster had pinpointed Monday, March 1 as the date when a “pathway to recovery” would be produced.

But there was no agreement on a blueprint to gradually ease restrictions when the Executive met yesterday morning.

It is understood the meeting lasted only one hour.

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Mrs Foster and the deputy First Minister, Michelle O’Neill, plan to unveil the roadmap once agreement has been reached.

That could come today, following another meeting of the Executive, but it is possible discussions could continue until later in the week.

As things stand, Northern Ireland remains the only part of the UK without a plan to exit lockdown.

The plan for England was unveiled by Prime Minister Boris Johnson a week ago today, which included indicative dates for the easing of all limits on social contact.

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The Welsh government has faced criticism for the lack of a similar plan, but its roadmap does include dates for the opening of certain business sectors.

Northern Ireland, meanwhile, is not expected to include even indicative dates when its plan is made public.

Colin Neill, chief executive of Hospitality Ulster, said: “We now have England, Scotland and Wales who have released plans,” he said.

“We are talking about people’s livlihoods here. They deserve to know the plan. It’s unfair that the Executive have no plan.

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“I appreciate that there are other issues, but they need to get a move on. There has to be a recovery plan.”

Mr Neill continued: “We’ve asked for them to plan with us, which they haven’t done. We’ve asked for dates which they’re unlikely to do. They need to get a move on.

“It’s just unacceptable not to have a plan when the other three jurisdictions do.”

Meanwhile, so-called ‘non-essential retailers’ are hoping to reopen in April, Retail NI chief executive Glyn Roberts has said.

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Mr Roberts added: “We need to see this plan published, no ifs or buts. “There are many thousands of local businesses who are keen to see this, to get some indication of when they can reopen. The Executive need to publish this sooner rather than later.”

He continued: “I understand that it will be led by data rather than dates, but retailers need some indication so they can prepare. You can’t just flick a switch.”