Easter holidays - how far from home can you go and can you cross the border?

A spokeswoman said: “There will be a ‘stay local’ message from April 12 but no specific limits on travel.”

However anyone hoping to travel across the border for Easter - for example to holiday homes in Donegal - will be disappointed. The Garda has confirmed that fines for cross border travel, which came into operation on February 8, still remain in place.

A spokesman said that it has issued 144 fines so far of €100 (£86) to people who are not ordinarily resident in the Republic.

“An Garda Síochána continues to nationwide checkpoints and high visibility patrols at public amenities, parks and beauty spots across the country in support of public health regulations,” a spokesman said.

The Stormont Executive this week agreed to relax a range of restrictions, mainly relating to outdoor activities.

While the majority of the current restrictions will remain in place until after Easter, the Executive agreed to gradual changes which will come into effect before the next formal review date on or before April 15.

From April 1, ten people from two households may undertake outdoor sports such as golf and tennis; Up to six people, including children, from two households may meet outdoors in a garden; and Garden centres and plant nurseries may run a contactless click and collect service.

The Executive also agreed an indicative date of April 12 for further relaxations; increasing the numbers who can meet outdoors in a garden from six to 10; allowing contactless click and collect service for all non-essential retail.

Training may also resume by sports clubs affiliated with recognised Governing Bodies, in groups of up to 15 people. The ‘stay at home’ message will also change to “stay local” and “work from home”. Relaxations planned for April 12 will be subject to review.

Also this week, the Executive decided that all P4 to P7 pupils will return to school from Monday, March 22 while all Year 8-11 pupils will return to the classroom after the Easter holiday on April 12. The measures are subject to a review at the end of March. 

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