NI Executive confirms list of lockdown relaxations to be introduced next week

These relaxations of the lockdown were provisionally announced last week but were dependent upon many variables including the R-number.

The criteria allowing the restrictions to be lifted has been met and the Northern Ireland Executive was able to confirm the lifting of the restrictions for the first time on Thursday.

The restrictions due to be eased on Monday June 8, 2020:

– Those who are shielding will be able to spend time outside with people from their own household or a person from another household whilst ensuring social distancing is observed.

– People will be permitted to leave home to attend to the needs or welfare of an animal or animals.

– Outdoor marriages and civil partnership ceremonies will be allowed, with number of people attending limited to ten.

– Outdoor sports facilities will be permitted to reopen.

– The conduct of business by outdoor non-food retailers will be permitted, including new and used car retailers; retailers of light motor vehicles, lorries/trailers; retailers of caravans or motorhomes, and retailers of agricultural or other large machinery.

– The conduct of business by non-food retail outlets with lower frequency customer visits and/or with a greater propensity for larger store areas will be permitted. But only where those outlets have direct street access or direct access within a retail park.

The Northern Ireland Executive also confirmed hotels can reopen from July 20.

“We understand the impact these draconian regulations are having on families and the desire to return to a way of life before Covid-19. But Covid-19 is still with us, it is still circulating in the community and every relaxation we make to the regulations increases the risk of spreading the virus and increasing the transmission rate,” said First Minister Arlene Foster.

“Last week the R number was at 0.9. We said we would move forward to further ease the restrictions providing the R rate did not rise above that position and today we had positive news,” said deputy First Minister, Michelle O'Neill.

“This has allowed us to make good on our intention to introduce further relaxations from the beginning of next week."