Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland's 'five stage' lockdown exit plan could start its rollout by end of month

Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill at the Bloc Blinds factory in Magherafelt, where staff are currently manufacturing PPE
Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill at the Bloc Blinds factory in Magherafelt, where staff are currently manufacturing PPE Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill at the Bloc Blinds factory in Magherafelt, where staff are currently manufacturing PPE

NORTHERN Ireland's lockdown exit strategy will be based on a "five stage" plan - but is not date specific.

The Irish News has learned the executive's 'roadmap' on easing Covid-19 restrictions could start its rollout by the end of the month.

The development comes as British Prime Minister Boris Johnson unveiled his "conditional plan" to "re-open society" in England which included nursery and primary school children returning by early June, some restaurants opening by July and those in construction and manufacturing industries "actively encouraged" to go back to work.

From Wednesday, the daily one-hour cap on exercise will be scrapped in England while sunbathing and driving to parks is also allowed.

Sources say lifting of restrictions due to be published in the Stormont 'recovery plan' for the north include:

  • Outdoor social gatherings: 'stage one' will allow groups of four to six people to meet while social distancing. Current guidelines state that only one to two people can mix and it hoped that this measure could be introduced once the current three week lockdown period ends on May 28
  • Pubs, restaurants, cafes and hairdressers will be included in 'stage five' but their re-opening - potentially in August - will be limited and based on risk assessments
  • Other businesses, such as newsagents, may fit into an earlier category of shops to open by the end of next month

In a wide-ranging interview in The Irish News today, Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill confirmed that the executive plan will differ from the Republic's.

While not disclosing details, she said any plan would be introduced "gradually" and was contingent on suppressing the virus.

Ms O'Neill said it was her "personal view" that schools should not re-open until September and that that they will run "very differently".

"Our plan will not be calendar led as it is in the south, where they have assigned certain dates to it. I would be worried about that approach for this reason - you don't know how this disease is going to spread," she said.

"What we intend to do is set out guiding principles as to how we move to each stage and what we intend to do. We will set out different phases and they will be reviewed on a three weekly basis in accordance with the best international health advice.

"Every measure will be gradual, there's never going to be at any stage a 'big bang'. It’s going to be incremental."

First Minister Arlene Foster insisted yesterday the executive will continue to reinforce the 'stay at home' message over Mr Johnson's 'stay alert' advice.

A further five people in the north have died from coronavirus, bringing the total number of fatalities to 435. In the Republic, the death toll has risen to 1,458 after a further 12 deaths were announced.