Northern Ireland “is entering better and brighter times” as its lockdown exit plans have been put forward.
Stormont executives announced new plans to open up the country after analyzing risks and reviewing economic and societal data.
The reopening of the tourism and hospitality sectors is being speeded up under a series of measures agreed on Thursday, which include three key relaxation dates – April 23, April 30 and May 24.
From April 23, hairdressers, beauty salons and outdoor tourist attractions North Ireland can open.
Northern Ireland has an adequate supply of vaccines, unlike the Republic
All retail businesses, outdoor hotels and sports venues will reopen on April 30, the Northern Ireland executive said after earlier indicating that they would open later in May.
Restaurants and hotels inside will now reopen on May 24, subject to COVID-19 infection rates and a review this month.
“We are now entering better and better times,” Prime Minister Arlene Foster told the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Three-fifths of Northern Ireland’s population have now received a first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
On Monday, the rest of the high school students – in grades eight to eleven – returned and a limited number of outdoor outlets such as garden centers and car dealerships reopened.
The number of people who can meet outdoors in the gardens has increased from six to 10, click-and-collect services for non-essential businesses have resumed and outdoor sports clubs have restarted.
Ministers will consider whether they can ease the lockdown further on May 24
Meanwhile, the Republic of Ireland has only given a first dose of the vaccine to one-fifth of its population and plans to begin the gradual reopening of retail in May and parts of the hospitality industry in from June.
Over the past year, fears have been expressed that differences in the rules on …
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Source: news.sky.com
This notice was published: 2021-04-15 18:50:00
