Northern Ireland's First Minister has revealed her pride in the people of NI, whose months of 'hard work and sacrifice' paved the way for lockdown relaxations.
yesterday revealed a host of dates that will soon see sports resume, beauty services reopen and hospitality businesses prepare to welcome customers back through their doors.
It followed four long, hard and dark winter months when many businesses couldn't operate, schools were largely closed, families kept apart and there was not much to do but take walks and watch box sets.
Following the widely heralded date announcements from Stormont on Thursday, business owners have spoken of their hope for the future as they finally have something "to look forward to".
The First Minister said yesterday: "It's down to the hard work and sacrifices of the people of Northern Ireland.
"I am proud of you all and pleased that we have been able to take these decisions on your behalf.
"Please stay with us and keep following the health advice so that we can keep going with our plans to open up our society over coming weeks.
"We said brighter times were ahead - today we are delivering on that promise."
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Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill said "the light at the end of the tunnel has just got a little bit brighter" after the Executive "agreed a significant package of easements which will make a fundamental difference to people’s lives and wellbeing".
"The restrictions have been a necessary response to the pandemic, to suppress the virus and save lives," she added.
"But they have taken their toll on people right across our society. I’m delighted that we are now in a position to move forward, thanks to the efforts and sacrifices of the public and the success of our vaccination programme.
"We can all take comfort from this progress and look forward to doing the things that are important to us while keeping ourselves and others as safe as possible."
Commenting on the Executive’s decisions on easing Covid-19 restrictions, Health Minister Robin Swann said: “I very much welcome the fact that Ministers have reached agreement around proposals brought to today’s meeting by The Executive Office.
“We are moving in the right direction and it’s important to bring optimism and certainty to this improving picture.
“Every one of us has a part to play in maintaining progress – by getting vaccinated when our turn comes and by sticking with the actions that have served us well for the past year – including social distancing, wearing a mask, washing hands. It’s also vital to remember that outdoor settings are significantly safer than indoors."
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But he also warned that the virus still remains a threat.
"As we look forward to a better summer, we must not lose sight of the fact that the virus is still a threat. The more we increase vaccination uptake rate, the more we strengthen our defences.
"The Executive’s phased and gradual approach to easing restrictions is the right one. Opening everything up at the same time would not be the responsible way forward. We must not jeopardise the progress we have made."
Here's a recap of what the Executive agreed:
From April 23:
- Resumption of driving instruction and theory tests;
- Driving testing can resume;
- Re-opening of close contact services including training;
- Re-opening of outdoor visitor attractions including outdoor activity centres;
- Resumption of Equine Assisted Therapy and Learning (EATL) on an indoor and outdoor basis in gatherings of up to 30 people;
- Outdoor sport organised by a club, individual or individuals affiliated will be extended to include squad training;
- Competitive outdoor sport organised by a club, individual or individuals affiliated, with participant numbers not exceeding 100 and no spectators permitted can return and
- Static band practice/rehearsal will be permitted in agreed outdoor locations.
From 30 April:
- Increase the numbers permitted to gather in Domestic Setting Outdoors – to 15 people from no more than 3 households;
- Reopen all of retail;
- Reopen and permit overnight stays in self-contained tourist accommodation for one household only;
- Reopen unlicensed premises, outdoors only with a maximum of 6 people from 2 households per table and contact details recorded;
- Reopen licensed premises, including social clubs, outdoors only, limited to 6 people from no more than 2 households and contact details recorded;
- Remove the curfew on takeaways;
- Remove the curfew on off licences; and
- Permit individual activities in gyms, swimming pools and other large venues – including with a carer and to allow 1-2-1 training/coaching with social distancing.
An indicative date of May 24 for:
- Reopening unlicensed and licensed premises indoors with mitigations;
- Reopening the remainder of Tourist accommodation;
- Allowing visits indoors in domestic settings;
- Reopening indoor visitor attractions; and
- Resume indoor group exercise and training in numbers limited to suit the venue.
Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon outlined how and when driving tests will resume through a priority booking system from 23 April 2021.
Between now and 26 April, those customers affected by the restrictions and who had their appointments cancelled and fee refunded will be advised by the DVA how they can book a new test date before the booking system will open in three phases:
PHASE 1: The booking system for Phase 1 customers, whose theory test pass certificates will expire by 31 October 2021, will open from 26 April.
PHASE 2: The booking system for Phase 2 customers, whose theory test pass certificates will expire between 1 November 2021 and 31 March 2022, will then open from 4 May 2021.
PHASE 3: The DVA is set to reopen the booking service for all other customers in mid-May and they will issue further communications through nidirect and social media channels, and write to all Approved Driving Instructors to confirm the process and the exact date.
The DVA will contact Phase 1 and Phase 2 customers directly to advise them when they can access the booking system.
Meanwhile those studying subjects such as hair and beauty, barbering, sport and hospitality will be able to return to practical training in some close contact subjects at further education colleges and non-statutory providers from Friday 23 April, Economy Minister Diane Dodds announced.
Colleges and non-statutory providers will be required to carry out site-specific risk assessments and adhere to guidance on safe resumption of onsite learning in the Department’s Framework Document, developed in line with public health advice.
"This is good news for those studying for qualifications in these close contact subject areas. By their nature, these areas require learners to have practical learning experience in order to develop their skills," said Minister Dodds.
In relation to sport, Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey said outdoor sports, organised by a club or individual affiliated to a recognised governing body or representative organisation, will be extended to include full squad training and all outdoor competitive sport can resume from April 23.
However numbers, including officials, participants, management and support personnel, should be restricted to the minimum number required for the delivery of the event and should not exceed 100. Currently, no spectators are permitted at any sports events.
In addition, the Executive has agreed that from the 30 April, individual indoor activities in gyms, swimming pools and other large venues will be permitted.
The Minister said: “I fully recognise the important role that sport and physical activity plays in the physical health and wellbeing of our communities and getting outside and being active is fundamental to helping us to deal with the impact of the pandemic.
"I urge everyone to continue to be cautious, follow the sport safety protocols, observe good hygiene practices, wear a mask where appropriate and adhere to the social distancing measures."