![\"\"](\"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/2.53705623-1.jpg\")
Northern Ireland is taking some small steps out of coronavirus lockdown today as garden centers and recycling facilities reopen.<\/p>\nNorthern Ireland is taking some small steps out of coronavirus lockdown today as garden centers and recycling facilities reopen.<\/p>\n
Angling is also allowed again while marriage ceremonies involving someone with a terminal illness can take place.<\/p>\n
The relaxations came into effect as it was announced that coronavirus testing is to be offered to all care home residents and staff in the region.<\/p>\n
The move by Health Minister Robin Swann comes after mounting calls for universal testing in homes.<\/p>\n
Almost half (45%) of Covid-19 related deaths in the region are occurring in care homes, the most recent figures from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) have shown.<\/p>\n
Stormont\u2019s leaders are expected to announce a series of other lockdown relaxations on Monday afternoon, with the region set to formally move to phase one of its five-step exit plan.<\/p>\n
Outdoor gatherings of four to six people from outside the same household are expected to be given the go-ahead later, as is the reopening of churches for solitary prayer and drive-in services.<\/p>\n
Golf and tennis could also be given the green light in the coming week.<\/p>\n
The moves will all depend on the latest scientific and medical evidence.<\/p>\n
The coronavirus death toll recorded by Stormont\u2019s Department of Health rose to 476 on Sunday after a further three fatalities were announced.<\/p>\n
That total primarily encapsulates deaths in hospitals, so the true toll in the region will be larger, once fatalities registered in the community are factored in.<\/p>\n
A technical issue with the department\u2019s reporting system meant the latest numbers of confirmed Covid-19 cases were not announced on Sunday along with the fatalities.<\/p>\n
On Saturday, the total of confirmed positive results in the region stood at 4,357.<\/p>\n
A meeting of the Stormont executive will convene at noon as ministers discuss the latest moves out of lockdown.<\/p>\n
First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O\u2019Neill are expected to make an announcement later in the afternoon.<\/p>\n
They were informed by their chief scientific and medical advisers on Thursday that it was now appropriate to move to phase one of the plan.<\/p>\n
Ministers were told that the Covid-19 infection rate in region (R0) was below 0.7.<\/p>\n
The R0, which is the number of people an infected person transmits the disease to, is a crucial consideration in any decision to ease restrictions.<\/p>\n
An R0 below one means the virus\u2019s prevalence is gradually decreasing, while a number above one would result in exponential growth.<\/p>\n