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There may be \u201cnuanced\u201d changes to Northern Ireland\u2019s lockdown measures, First Minister Arlene Foster said, after extending current restrictions for another three weeks.<\/p>\nThere may be \u201cnuanced\u201d changes to Northern Ireland\u2019s lockdown measures, First Minister Arlene Foster said, after extending current restrictions for another three weeks.<\/p>\n
Mrs Foster said it was important to \u201cmove together as a bloc\u201d with the rest of the UK to send a clear and simple message to the population.<\/p>\n
It comes as UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson prepares to address the nation on Sunday, outlining how lockdown measures, introduced on March 23, will be eased.<\/p>\n
Mrs Foster said restrictions in Northern Ireland, extended on Thursday, would remain in place for the foreseeable future.<\/p>\n
But she said it was important to offer some \u201chope\u201d to the public.<\/p>\n
She told BBC Breakfast: \u201cThere\u2019s a difference between sticking with the restrictions and making nuanced changes.<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring those three weeks we can look to see if there are some nuanced changes we can make and I would put going out more for exercise in the open air as a nuanced change rather than a fundamental change.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think those things can be looked at\u2026 but what is important is the regulations are put in place for another three weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mrs Foster said she spoke to Mr Johnson on Thursday, and he said he was \u201cmoving forward with maximum caution\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe, and I as well, want us to move forward if we can in a four-nations way,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause when we do that we have a simplicity of message, we have a clarity of message, and people really understand what\u2019s really going on when we move together as a bloc.\u201d<\/p>\n
The total number of coronavirus deaths in Northern Ireland is now 422.<\/p>\n