Executive’s refusal to be tied down on dates is vindicated

Arlene Foster, the first minister, and Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill, said at the time that the easing of the lockdown would be dictated by up-to-date scientific evidence, the ability of the health service to cope, and the wider impacts on health, society and the economy. However, unlike many other countries in Europe, they refused to give dates.

By not pinpointing specific dates, the Executive was accused of not giving people hope for the future, or even aspirational dates to look forward to.

However, as lockdown restrictions continue to be eased here at a pace ahead of the rest of Great Britain, the more flexible strategy adopted by the Executive back in May looks to have been vindicated.

Ministers deserve praise for responding more quickly than in Engand, Scotland and Wales and few can quibble at the pace at which things are now easing, even if cinemas remain in limbo and the hospitality sector wanted to open more quickly. The biggest sticking point remains schools, where a solution remains elusive.

Of course, with the manner in which the number of deaths here has slowed significantly, along with the drastically fewer number of new cases being diagnosed, it would not have made sense for the Executive to have waited any longer on easing many of the restrictions.

Yesterday’s announcement allowing gatherings of six people indoors from different households and further loosening of the restrictions for those who have been shielding will be the most significant yet for many people.

It has been a traumatic period for many older people in the vulnerable category particular, but there is now light at the end of the tunnel.