Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
BUBBLY JUBBLY
People on their own can stay at another house All retailers to open & 10 friends can meet outside
PEOPLE living alone can form a “bubble” with one other household from Saturday, the First and Deputy First Ministers said yesterday.
Arlene Foster and Michelle O’neill added groups of 10 can now meet outdoors after numbers had been capped at six.
Churches and community centres can offer childcare from today, while all shops can open their doors this morning.
House moves and purchases can also proceed from Monday – the same date elite athletes will be able to train outdoors.
Mrs Foster said: “We are now in the process of closing step one in our five-step recovery plan.
“The changes allow those who live alone to form a small support unit with one other household, allowing the person to visit and stay over.
15th
June – elite level athletes can resume outdoor training
We know this will bring comfort for many who have been on their own for weeks FIRST MINISTER ARLENE FOSTER BELFAST YESTERDAY
COMFORT
“We know this will bring comfort to many across Northern Ireland who have been on their own for more than 10 weeks.
“The Executive will review this situation again next week and consider indoor visits from one household to another household in more limited circumstances.”
Mrs O’neill added: “The relaxations we are announcing today are a balance between the welfare, social and emotional needs, as well as progress towards opening up our economy.”
The Department of Health said yesterday one more person died of Covid-19 after four days with no deaths reported.
Mrs O’neill shared her condolences with their family. Health Minister Robin Swann said while restrictions are easing, with that “freedom comes a serious responsibility for us all to follow advice and guidelines”. He added: “I urge everyone not to underestimate the threat of this virus or the possibility of a second wave of infection.” Meanwhile, Economy
Minister Diane Dodds welcomed news all goods retailers can reopen from today.
This includes outlets inside shopping centres which do not have direct street access.
The move was agreed by the Executive on Monday and is conditional on there being no increase in the spread of Covid-19 by today. Mrs Dodds said: “This is a further step in getting the economy moving again. I would urge people to be considerate when they go shopping and think of others.
“All stores must adhere to the relevant safety measures and ensure social distancing.”
Retail NI chief executive Glyn Roberts said: “This is a very welcome decision which now allows our local retail sector as a whole to reopen and play its role in economic recovery.
“With many retailers reopening tomorrow and the next few days, I appeal to shoppers to be patient and respectful with shop staff.
“Substantial operational changes have had to be made for shops to comply with social distancing so it is likely that shoppers will experi
ence increased queuing.” The Mirror asked Mrs Foster and Mrs O’neill if the Executive is considering measures to support the hospitality industry, including licencing law changes, road closures and giving over street space for seating.
Mrs O’neill said: “That is something we are actively looking at.
“Things are going to continue to be different and I think there is an opportunity for us to look at developing a cafe culture – how we use our streets and create opportunities where people can sit out and have something to eat and meet friends. That discussion is underway.
“It involves the Communities Minister, the Infrastructure Minister, the Economies Minister all working together and this was one of the things we discussed. I know the Communities Minister has written to local councils to ask them to look at this. “The other issue is obviously the licensing law and I know the Communities Minister intends to bring forward legislation.”
DISABILITY
Mrs Foster added: “This is an opportunity to do something different. Unless you are in the red line of your licence, you cannot take alcohol outside of that so the
Department for Communities are having a look at that. The Department of Infrastruture are looking at roads and pavements with Department for Economy and the tourism taskforce to see what we can do differently in a fast way.
“We will have to engage with disability groups, because we don’t want to restrict any citizens, but I think it is actually something new and innovative and something we should look at.”
Yesterday, the Department of Health also published the current Covid-19 reproduction number (R).
In a statement, it said: “The current estimate of R is 0.5–0.9 enabling the Executive decision today to ease further restrictions.”
The relaxations are a balance between the welfare, social and emotional needs of people DEPUTY FIRST MINISTER MICHELLE O’NEILL YESTERDAY