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Northern Ireland\u2019s leaders have defended a decision to exclude target dates from the region\u2019s road map out of the coronavirus lockdown.<\/p>\nNorthern Ireland\u2019s leaders have defended a decision to exclude target dates from the region\u2019s road map out of the coronavirus lockdown.<\/p>\n
First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O\u2019Neill highlighted their determination to be led by the science, not the calendar, as they published their five phase recovery blueprint.<\/p>\n
Business owners are among those calling for a timetable, claiming the lack of dates hinders their ability to plan for reopening.<\/p>\n
Mrs Foster said the reproduction number (R) of Covid-19 \u2013 the number of people an infected person passes the disease to \u2013 was the key factor in when Northern Ireland could move from one phase to another.<\/p>\n
She said the rate was currently at 0.79 and needed to be driven lower before the region could commence phase one.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we could with certainty set dates we would\u2019ve set the dates,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I think what we wanted to do was to make sure that we set out the step-by-step process and then keep the flexibility to be able to move when that R number is at an appropriate place.\u201d<\/p>\n
Deaths among people who have tested positive for Covid-19 in Northern Ireland rose to 447 on Tuesday, after a further nine fatalities were recorded. A total of 4,193 people have tested positive for the disease in the region.<\/p>\n
The next review of the current lockdown restrictions imposed by Stormont is due by May 28 but Mrs Foster and Ms O\u2019Neill said they would examine the R rate on a daily basis, and could commence the plan before that date if possible.<\/p>\n
However, both insisted that testing and tracing capacities in Northern Ireland had to be improved before phase one was triggered.<\/p>\n
Mrs Foster also cautioned that if the R number went above one ministers would have to consider putting the plan into reverse.<\/p>\n
She questioned recovery plans published elsewhere that did include timetables, claiming they were so heavily caveated that they were almost meaningless.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I look at other documents that have dates attached to them, they\u2019re actually so heavily caveated that one has to ask is it of any use, because actually when they get to that date they may not be able to move forward and then people will be disappointed that they can\u2019t move forward in that way,\u201d said the DUP leader.<\/p>\n
Ms O\u2019Neill said a timetable would undermine the power-sharing executive\u2019s commitment to be led by the science alone.<\/p>\n
\u201cI understand that people want to see that light at the end of the tunnel and we would have much preferred to be able to stand here and say \u2018we\u2019re going to do this on a certain date\u2019,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut the reality is that we have to be guided by the science, what\u2019s in the best interest to public health.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo as that R rate comes down, then we get to that position sooner. So the more people comply with the social distancing rules, then we get there sooner.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think that actually it\u2019s the right approach to take \u2013 the approach of not assigning particular dates to it \u2013 because (if you do have dates) then you can\u2019t then stand over the fact that you\u2019re saying you\u2019re being guided by the science.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut we will get to relief points as quickly as we possibly can based on that R figure.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Sinn F\u00e9in vice president added: \u201cI am very relaxed about the approach that we\u2019ve taken. I think it\u2019s the right approach that we\u2019ve taken. I know that some people will have wanted to see dates and I understand that we\u2019re all craving a wee bit of certainly right now and also even for the business community people want to plan and they want that certainty the businesses always needs.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Groups of four to six people who do not share a household will be allowed to meet outdoors while maintaining social distancing in the first step of the blueprint.<\/p>\n
Those unable to work from home will be encouraged to return to work on a phased basis in another early shift if the reproductive rate at which the virus is spread continues to decline below one.<\/p>\n
Large outdoor-based retailers such as garden centers will also be permitted to reopen in the first step as life edges its way back towards normality.<\/p>\n
As well as scientific data, the decision on when to make changes will also be influenced by the NHS\u2019s capacity to cope.<\/p>\n
It is anticipated that schools will not reopen to all pupils until the next school year in September.<\/p>\n
Drive-through church services will be available and churches will open for private prayer at an early stage in the plan.<\/p>\n
Outdoor spaces and public sport amenities will also be included in the first step of reopening.<\/p>\n
Large indoor gatherings, nightclubs, concerts, close physical contact sports, restaurants, cafes, pubs and early years education will be included in the final, step five, relaxation.<\/p>\n
According to the blueprint, the second step will see groups of 10 being able to meet outdoors, team sports training allowed on a non-contact basis in small groups, the reopening of some libraries and open-air museums, as well as indoor activities involving limited contact of less than 10 minutes and with two to four people.<\/p>\n
The third step will see groups of up to 30 being able to gather outside, the reopening of more libraries, as well as museums and galleries, concert and theatre rehearsals resuming and larger indoor gatherings.<\/p>\n
The fourth step will see socially distanced church services, the resumption of competitive sport behind closed doors or with a limited number of spectators, leisure centers reopening and outdoor concerts resuming on a restricted basis.<\/p>\n