Foster & O’neill welcome significant milestone day

THE latest steps out of lockdown are good news for our society, the First Minister and Deputy First Minister have said.

Welcoming the milestone of more than one million vaccines, Arlene Foster and Michelle O’neill also hailed the full return of students to school from today:

DUP leader Mrs Foster, right, said: “This is a milestone day that signals our confidence in the way ahead.

“Today all of our schoolchildren can return to the classroom – more friends and family members can meet up outdoors and those facing a life event can take comfort and support from the presence of their loved ones.

“We are seeing a steady reduction in the health risk indicators and strong progress from our vaccine programme with more than one million vaccines administered across Northern Ireland.

“These combined with our expanded test, track and protect services will power us along our pathway to recovery.”

Sinn Fein deputy leader Ms O’neill, below, said: “This is a hugely significant day as we take some more important steps forward on our pathway out of restrictions.

“We should all take heart from this progress, which is good news for young people, sports, families, business and communities.

“Passing the landmark of one million vaccines is incredibly encouraging.

“The success of our vaccination programme and the reduction in new positive cases, particularly among vaccinated groups, gives us real hope that we are slowly making our way out of this pandemic and moving towards better times for us all.”