![\"\"](\"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/852f5878-fa4c-4640-9c3b-3f3eb3b8bf21.jpg\")
Northern Ireland\u2019s First Minister Arlene Foster said she hopes to be \u201clong past\u201d the final step of the Executive\u2019s plan for easing lockdown by December.<\/p>\nNorthern Ireland\u2019s First Minister Arlene Foster said she hopes to be \u201clong past\u201d the final step of the Executive\u2019s plan for easing lockdown by December.<\/p>\n
Frustration was expressed by some in the Northern Ireland business community when the five-step plan was announced without any time frame.<\/p>\n
But Mrs Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O\u2019Neill highlighted their determination to be led by the science, not the calendar, as they published their recovery blueprint on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday morning, Mrs Foster said she hoped step five would have been reached \u201clong before December 5\u2033, a suggested date for post-primary school transfer tests.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will be past stage five by that time (December 5). I would be very much hopeful (of) that, unless there has been a second peak or a second wave of this,\u201d she said, adding that she hoped this was achieved \u201clong before December 5\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we begin to move, we will be able to assess how the relaxation of the regulations are impacting on the R number and then, if they have impacted not in too much of a way, we can then wait a period of time and then move to the next relaxation,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is a step-by-step process, it is a graduated process, and at all times we have to look at the prospect \u2013 and I hope it\u2019s not something that will happen \u2013 that we may have to move backwards again if the R number goes above one.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mrs Foster made the comments to media during a visit to Pond Park Primary school in Lisburn, Co Antrim, which is open for children of key workers.<\/p>\n
Pressed on whether step five of the Northern Ireland Executive\u2019s road map could be reached by August, in line with the Republic of Ireland\u2019s timeline, Mrs Foster responded: \u201cIt\u2019s no mystery that even though we have our own plans, the plans are similar.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are similar with the Republic of Ireland and they are similar indeed with the rest of the United Kingdom as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know people like to look at the differences between the plans and criticize us for not having dates, but if we had dates I think we would have been criticized as well from other people, so you have to take the balance and try to get flexibility built in.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mrs Foster added: \u201cWe understand that these regulations are draconian, we understand that they have a big impact on people\u2019s lives, and therefore we don\u2019t want to keep them one single day more than we have to.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we get the medical advice that we can move, then we will move.\u201d<\/p>\n