Hope next phase of easing rules will be approved

NORTHERN Ireland is drawing closer to the next phase of the lockdown roadmap that would trigger the reopening of more businesses.

The next milestone is in just over two weeks’ time on May 24 – if the Executive gives the green light on Thursday.

Stormont’s Pathway out of Restrictions is set at four-week intervals, allowing leaders to assess several weeks’ worth of coronavirus data. Business owners usually receive a week’s notice on whether they can welcome back customers or not. If the Department of Health, including the Health Minister, Chief Scientific Officer and Chief Medical Officer are satisfied with the rate of the virus, along with the level of hospital admissions and deaths, then this paves way for more easing of the restrictions. The date for the formal review was set under the Pathway out of Restrictions document as the Executive maintained it did not want to lift too many restrictions at once in case it resulted in a spike in Covid-19 cases.

The following restrictions were given an indicative date of May 24 for lifting: Reopening unlicensed and licensed premises indoors with mitigations Reopening the remainder of tourist accommodation

Allowing visits indoors in domestic settings

Reopening indoor visitor and cultural attractions, such as museums, galleries, cinemas and bingo halls. Music venues are not included in this indicative date

Resume indoor group exercise and training in numbers limited to suit the venue.

The resumption of post-funeral gatherings (numbers to be informed by a risk assessment for the venue, and,

The resumption of post-wedding ceremony receptions or functions (numbers to be informed by a risk assessment for the venue).

Among the facilities to reopen will be hotels and Northern Ireland Hotels Federation CEO Janice Gault said there was a “palpable air of hope” over May 24.

She added: “There is optimism that the indicative opening date of May 24 will become a reality.

“Reflecting on the last year, one which feels more like a decade than a mere 12 months, few would envy those charged with making many difficult and unprecedented choices.

“For the tourism and hospitality sectors, it has been difficult and even when closed, the industry appears to be blamed for issues that were outside of its control.

“What is clear is that, if we are to make the type of economic recovery that is required, a more holistic approach to decision making may be needed, as Covid-19 moves from the pandemic to endemic status.”

Optimism indicative date of May 24 will become a reality JANICE GAULT YESTERDAY