Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
ULSTER’S FIVE STEPS TO END LOCKDOWN
» Gradual exit announced » No time frame for levels » 3 deaths as total hits 438
THE Executive will publish a five-stage plan today that will set out a “gradual” easing of lockdown measures.
However, a Junior Minister said Stormont would not be setting “arbitrary time frames” for the lifting of restrictions.
It comes after the Department of Health confirmed a further three people had died from the virus, bringing the total number of deaths to 438.
Sinn Fein’s Declan Kearney said now was not the time for any “distractions”.
He added: “That is not the page that we are on, we are still at a point where we are dealing with Covid-19, we are in the midst of that battle.”
BORIS Johnson’s lockdown fiasco cannot be a distraction as Northern Ireland enforces the stay at home warning, a Stormont Minister insisted yesterday.
Declan Kearney also said it is “crucial that we do not set arbitrary timeframes for easing restrictions” as Stormont must “retain flexibility” in its approach to relaxing the lockdown.
He confirmed the pathway out of the Covid-19 restrictions involved “gradual and incremental” change and that the strategy would be in five stages.
Mr Kearney also stated Stormont policy will be “closely aligned with the World Health Organisation approach” – and reviews will continue every three weeks.
Mr Kearney added any decision to ease restrictions here will be informed by medical and scientific advice, the ability of the health service to cope and an assessment of the health, societal and economic impact with the “greatest benefit” weighed against the “lowest risk”.
The Sinn Fein MLA warned against a “confused acoustic” emanating from the Boris Johnson speech that pointed towards a “stay alert” message as opposed to “stay at home” and has indicated imminent relaxing of a number of lockdown rules.
Mr Kearney told the daily Stormont briefing: “We are in a critical situation, we are not out of the woods yet.
“That is not the page that we are on, we are still at a point where we are dealing with Covid-19, we are in the midst of that battle.
“It is essential that no one gets mesmerised or distracted by what was said last night.”
The Stormont Executive, he said, speaks with “one united clear voice”.
Fellow Junior Minister Gordon Lyons added he believed the differing messages from the regional administrations was “one of the benefits of devolution” in that we could
“adapt our message”. The DUP MLA said he envisaged “enhanced” messaging around the construction and manufacturing sectors and their return to work.
He added he understood people were cautious about what was permissible and safe. Earlier on Monday, it was revealed Northern Ireland’s five-step plan to emerge from coronavirus restrictions will be published today. First Minister
Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O’neill are expected to outline the blueprint to the Assembly.
While a final version had not been formally signed off by Monday afternoon, with a few remaining details still to be agreed, ministers were confident it will be completed in time to present to MLAS today.
Significantly, the plan will not include projected milestone dates for when the region could move from one step to the next.
Instead, it will outline the scientific and public health criteria that must be met for this to happen.
That includes the infection rate level and the capacity within hospitals dealing with coronavirus.
Ministers are seeking to prioritise measures that create the greatest societal benefit with the lowest infection risk.
The Executive is legally obliged to review the current lockdown regulations every three weeks, but it is anticipated that some reviews will not bring any change to the regulations, and some could even see the region return to an earlier phase.
People will be told to expect the journey to recovery to be gradual and incremental.
It is understood gatherings of four to six people in outdoor locations, with social distancing measures, will be permitted in the first step.
However, cafes, restaurants and pubs will have to wait until step five before they can reopen.
It is anticipated that schools will not reopen until the start of the new school year in September.
Unlike England, there are no plans to increase the level of fines for breach of social distancing rules, although the Executive is to keep this under review.
Step one could be given the green light at the end of May.
However, ministers will meet again later in the week to consider allowing people to exercise more than once a day, and the reopening of garden centres and churches for the purpose of solitary prayer.
Meanwhile, a further three deaths of patients with Covid-19 were reported by the Department of Health on Monday, taking the total in the region to 438.
Executive speaks with one united clear voice
DECLAN KEARNEY STORMONT YESTERDAY