FIRST STEPS IN A LONG JOURNEY

Today marks the day that Northern Ireland begins a new journey towards a future without extreme restrictions on day to day life. As agreed by the Executive a few weeks ago from today (1st April):

- Six people from two households can meet in a private garden

- Up to 10 people from two households can meet for exercise purposes

- Golf and other outdoor sporting activities can resume

- Garden centres reopen for click and collect services

Despite these looking like small steps in easing restrictions the Executive have expressed countless times that it doesn't want to rush the easing of restrictions incase of another wave of COVID-19 infections.

With the latest figures going in the right direction and the vaccine rollout continuing to progress with great speed, these may not be the only easing of restrictions to come in the next few weeks.

The Executive has already agreed, in principle, the next set of easements to come on 12 April, dependent on how the current easements affect compliance rates.

Easements such as relaxing the Stay At Home message, opening all non-essential retail to click and collect services and the resumption of sports training up to 15 people are looking to be top of the priorities list of the Executive. Decisions on further easements is subject to agreement in the Executive after the Easter weekend.

The complete document on the Executive's pathway out of lockdown is available here.