Lack of dates on North roadmap may see different exit strategies on island

THE lack of dates and details on the North’s roadmap out of its coronavirus lockdown risks putting the island on two different paths in the coming months.

Unveiling the plan yesterday, Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster said there was “no set pathway for lifting restrictions” and changes to the current restrictions will be guided by science.

Unlike England and the Republic of Ireland, Stormont’s blueprint does not include firm dates and will instead be guided by conditions.

The “recovery strategy” on how lockdown measures will be lifted in the coming months was presented to the Assembly yesterday as nine further Covid-19 deaths were confirmed in the North, bringing the total death toll there to 447.

Northern Ireland’s exit strategy on when businesses and schools could reopen came two days after UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson unveiled his “stay alert” slogan.

However, the leaders of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have said they will continue with their current ‘stay home’ plan instead.

Coming nearly two weeks after the Republic’s timetable-driven plan, it potentially puts the island on two different paths on emergence from lockdown.

The executive’s new fivestage plan will be subject to change, depending on the progress made in tackling the pandemic.

In the first stage of edging life back towards normality:

Groups of four to six people who do not share a household will be allowed to meet outdoors while maintaining social distancing;

Those unable to work from home will be encouraged to return to work on a phased basis;

Large outdoor-based retailers such as garden centres are permitted to reopen;

Drive-through church services will be available and churches will open for private prayer;

Outdoor spaces and public sport amenities will open including some water activities, golf courses and tennis clubs.

Ms Foster said: “We don’t want to keep any restriction in place any longer than we have to, but in relaxing any measure we must be cognisant of the potential effects in the transmission of the virus and our ability to save lives.”

On not including dates in the plan, Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill said: “We looked very carefully at the issue of putting timelines and specific dates to certain areas and we decided against that for the reason that people want light at the end of the tunnel. We don’t want to build up expectation and then you have to move back.”

Northern Ireland’s R level of virus transmission is at approximately 0.8, but medics have said they want to drive it down further.

Dr Connor Bamford, a virologist at Queen’s University Belfast, said the roadmap lacked detail and more information is needed.

“The guidance is very limited, there really should be more explanation around shielding and testing in particular,” he said.

The restrictions will be reviewed every three weeks.

In the second phase of the roadmap groups of 10 will be allowed to meet outdoors while the reopening of cafes, restaurants, pubs, nightclubs and early years education will take place in the fifth and final phase.