{"id":15137,"date":"2020-10-15T16:00:17","date_gmt":"2020-10-15T16:00:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/factcheckni.org\/?p=15137"},"modified":"2022-02-27T22:27:03","modified_gmt":"2022-02-27T22:27:03","slug":"what-is-northern-irelands-covid-19-recovery-plan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/factcheckni.org\/topics\/health\/what-is-northern-irelands-covid-19-recovery-plan\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Northern Ireland&#8217;s COVID-19 recovery plan?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><b>Please refer to the <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nidirect.gov.uk\/articles\/coronavirus-covid-19-regulations-guidance-what-restrictions-mean-you\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>NI Direct website for information about the latest restrictions<\/b><\/a><b>.<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"538\" src=\"http:\/\/factcheckni.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/covid-flu-1024x538.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-21521\" srcset=\"https:\/\/factcheckni.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/covid-flu-1024x538.png 1024w, https:\/\/factcheckni.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/covid-flu-300x158.png 300w, https:\/\/factcheckni.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/covid-flu-768x403.png 768w, https:\/\/factcheckni.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/covid-flu-65x34.png 65w, https:\/\/factcheckni.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/covid-flu-150x79.png 150w, https:\/\/factcheckni.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/covid-flu-75x39.png 75w, https:\/\/factcheckni.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/covid-flu-76x40.png 76w, https:\/\/factcheckni.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/covid-flu.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">[This article was originally part of the <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdhn.org\/covid-19-information-dissemination-id-project\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">COVID-19 Information Dissemination (COVID-19 ID) Project<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014a partnership between <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdhn.org\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Community Development and Health Network (CDHN)<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/factcheckni.org\/fact-checks\/new-working-partnership-covid-19-information-dissemination-covid-19-id-project\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FactCheckNI<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The project\u2019s aim was to improve people\u2019s health literacy about COVID-19 by providing <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdhn.org\/covid-19-fact-checks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">accurate and up-to-date information<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> which would increase knowledge, understanding and confidence and enable people to make good health decisions.]<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><b>What is the Northern Ireland circuit breaker?<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On 14 October 2020, The Executive Office published <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk\/news\/executive-tightens-restrictions-curb-covid-19\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">an update<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to the list of regulatory (enforceable) measures as well as additional health guidance.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For a period of four weeks, starting at 6pm on Friday 16 October, the following will be in effect:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/guidance\/making-a-support-bubble-with-another-household\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Support bubbles<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are limited to 10 people from two households<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No overnight stays in a private home unless in a bubble<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hospitality sector to close (except for takeaway\/delivery)<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fast food to close nightly at 11pm<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No sale of alcohol (in off-licences and supermarkets) after 8pm<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Retail remains open with emphasis on mitigations<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No mass events involving more than 15 people<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No close-contact services, including hairdressers and beauticians (health needs excluded)<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No indoor sport; no organised outdoor sport involving mixing of households (exception for elite athletes)<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gyms open for individual training only<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Churches remain open (face masks mandatory on entering\/leaving)<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Funerals limited to 25 people with no gatherings before or afterwards<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weddings limited to 25 people (from Monday 19 October)<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Advised not to travel unnecessarily<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Advised to work from home<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Universities and further education advised to deliver distance learning as much as possible<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition, the school half term holiday will be extended, beginning on Monday 19 October and reopening on Monday 2 November.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><b>Northern Ireland&#8217;s COVID-19 recovery plan (12 May 2020)&nbsp;<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Following on from the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/factcheckni.org\/fact-checks\/health\/what-are-the-rules-of-lockdown-in-northern-ireland\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">original lockdown regulations<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a new COVID-19 recovery plan\u2014<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk\/publications\/coronavirus-executive-approach-decision-making\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Coronavirus: Our Approach to Decision Making<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014was issued by the Northern Ireland Executive on 12 May 2020 and outlined five steps by sector for easing restrictions. The main phases in each sector were:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><b>Work<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Steps 1 and 2<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">encouragement of employees who cannot work from home to return to work in a phased manner, providing best practice arrangements are in place.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Steps 3 and 4<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a phased return to office and onsite working, subject to risk assessments; home working still encouraged.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step 5<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">everyone allowed back to work, however working from home encouraged where possible.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.economy-ni.gov.uk\/news\/engagement-forum-covid-19-holds-its-first-meeting\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Engagement Forum<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> between Business and Trade Union representatives and the Department of the Economy produced<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk\/content\/coronavirus-workplace-safety-guidelines-and-social-distancing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">workplace safety guidelines<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and a<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk\/content\/coronavirus-workplace-safety-guidance-and-priority-sector-list\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">priority sector list<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Returning to work would depend on the successful implementation of safety mitigations in workplaces.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><b>Retail<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the initial phase of \u2018lockdown\u201d, retailers were currently restricted to online, delivery and takeaway services.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step 1<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">large outdoor retailers (such as garden centres) to open (although cafes must be takeaway or collection only);<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Steps 2 and 3<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">non-food retailers can open, with social distancing and risk assessments in place.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step 4<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8216;contact&#8217; retail, e.g. hairdressers, fitness studios, tattoo and piercing parlours, may open, with mitigations and risk assessments in place.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step 5<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hospitality retail, e.g. cafes, restaurants and pubs, may open\u2014on a limited basis at first.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><b>Education<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step 1<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">currently, only the children of certain key workers and some vulnerable students may attend school. This will also apply in step 1.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step 2<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">definition of key workers to be extended.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step 3<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">children in some (as yet undefined) priority cohorts may attend school part-time.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step 4<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">all children to attend school part-time with a mix of in-school and home learning.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step 5<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">full time &#8220;early years school provision&#8221; offered to all children.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><b>Travel&nbsp;<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Focuses on public transport, rather than travel outside of Northern Ireland.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step 1<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">currently, limited public transport is available with social distancing measures in place; passengers are encouraged to wear face coverings and avoid busy times; PPE for staff and enhanced cleaning of vehicles; walking and cycling encouraged; this will be maintained in step 1.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Steps 2 and 3<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">all safety measures maintained as demand grows; walking and cycling encouraged.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step 4<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">continued home-working and staggered business opening times to help reduce and stabilise demand for public transport; walking and cycling encouraged.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step 5<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">full public transport service implemented, subject to risk assessment; walking and cycling encouraged.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><b>Family and community<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The initial lockdown phase restricted contact to within people\u2019s own household.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step 1<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">groups of four to six people from different households can meet outside, maintaining social distance; immediate family allowed indoors on the same basis, except for those who are shielding; churches allowed to operate on a &#8216;drive through&#8217; basis or for private prayer in step 1.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step 2<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">groups of 10 people may meet outdoors with social distancing.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step 3<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">groups of 30 people may meet outdoors with social distancing.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step 4<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">church services allowed, with social distancing.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step 5<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">allows a wider range of gatherings, subject to social distancing measures.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><b>Sport, cultural and leisure activities<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Initially only personal and household exercise were allowed.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step 1<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">public spaces and outdoor sports amenities can open; non-contact sports such as walking, running, cycling, tennis, golf and some water activities permitted; drive through cinema possible.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step 2<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">re-opening of some libraries on a restricted basis; opening of open air museums.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step 3<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">teams may train again for non-contact sports; libraries, galleries and museums may open.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step 4<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">leisure centres can reopen; some sporting events may be allowed behind &#8220;closed doors,&#8221; or with a limited number of spectators.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Step 5<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2014<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">close physical contact sports and full use of sporting facilities allowed; some live events, nightclubs and concerts allowed on a restricted basis.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Northern Ireland Executive&#8217;s summary of all steps is still available<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk\/sites\/default\/files\/publications\/execoffice\/our-approach-to-decision-making-summary-120520.pdf#page=4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><b>Did the recovery plan have indicative dates?<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Northern Ireland Executive did not attach guidelines for the timing of the steps<\/span><b>. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This approach differed from the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.ie\/en\/press-release\/e5e599-government-publishes-roadmap-to-ease-covid-19-restrictions-and-reope\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Republic of Ireland Government<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">government who gave indicative dates for moving between phases. At the time, the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/our-plan-to-rebuild-the-uk-governments-covid-19-recovery-strategy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">UK Government<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> gave projected dates for some measures in England, including the reopening of primary schools.<\/span><br><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First Minister Arlene Foster<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/uk-northern-ireland-52624048\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">said<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that the Northern Ireland roadmap does not answer every query, but it &#8220;provides people with an indication of how things might move in the weeks and months ahead\u201d. Michelle O&#8217;Neill<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/uk-northern-ireland-52624048\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">urged the public<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to &#8220;be patient\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>The steps would not necessarily move forward at the same speed in each sector.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> If the transmission rate of the virus increases too quickly, it is possible that a sector may have to move a step backwards. It is also possible that measures within a step for a particular sector may not move at the same speed.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><b>The Northern Ireland Executive would review the regulations <\/b><a href=\"http:\/\/www.legislation.gov.uk\/nisr\/2020\/55\/regulation\/2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><b>every 21 days<\/b><\/a><b>,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and announce any step changes as and when the scientific advice changed. It would use the time in-between reviews to evaluate the impact of any relaxations that had been made.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><b>How would the Northern Ireland Executive decide when to introduce new steps?<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Controlling virus transmission and the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/health-52473523\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">R number<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was to be central to the Executive\u2019s decision making. If each person with COVID-19 only infects one other person, then the value of R is 1. The Executive wanted the R number to stay &#8220;at or below 1&#8221; throughout the process.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The document underlined that transmission of the virus would depend on a variety of factors, including the availability of testing, use of surveillance or tracking methodology (including apps) and contact tracing &#8220;for those who test positive for Coronavirus or who meet an appropriate clinical case definition&#8221;.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In addition to controlling transmission, the Executive <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.health-ni.gov.uk\/publications\/executive-decision-making-framework-coronavirus-regulations\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">adopted the following principles<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Protecting healthcare capacity to ensure the healthcare system is not overwhelmed by a further wave of the pandemic. The aim was to treat Coronavirus patients while phasing in the reintroduction of usual health and care services.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Necessity. No restriction would be kept in place longer than necessary to protect public health.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Proportionality. Detrimental impacts of restrictions on health, society and the economy would be taken into account. In other words, the risks and the benefits of each restriction would be weighed up.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reliance on evidence. Proposals for change or for keeping a restriction in place would be based on scientific evidence.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><b>Whose guidance is the Northern Ireland Executive following?<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Health is a devolved issue in the UK. The Northern Ireland Executive sets its own regulations with regard to COVID-19.&nbsp; The roadmap document underlined that the Executive aligned its plan with the<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.euro.who.int\/en\/health-topics\/health-emergencies\/coronavirus-covid-19\/technical-guidance\/2020\/strengthening-and-adjusting-public-health-measures-throughout-the-covid-19-transition-phases.-policy-considerations-for-the-who-european-region,-24-april-2020\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WHO guidelines<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of 24 April 2020. It emphasised that there was close cooperation between the four regions of the UK, as well as between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><b>What happened next?<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Large outdoor retailers (eg, garden centres) reopened on <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk\/news\/covid-19-press-conference-18-may-2020\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">18 May 2020<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An Executive press <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk\/news\/executive-confirms-changes-covid-19-regulations\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">conference on 4 June<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> confirmed that outdoor sports facilities could re-open from 8 June 2020. And <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.communities-ni.gov.uk\/news\/return-outdoor-training-elite-athletes-announced\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">elite athletes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> could resume training from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk\/news\/executive-daily-update-initiatives-deal-coronavirus-11-june-2020\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Monday 15 June<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On 4 June 2020, the Executive also announced that from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk\/news\/executive-confirms-changes-covid-19-regulations\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Monday 8 June<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">outdoor weddings with 10 people present would be permitted;<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">those who were shielding could spend time outside with people from their own household or a person from another household whilst ensuring social distancing was observed; and<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">people would be permitted to leave home to attend to the needs or welfare of animals.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From Monday 8 June, outdoor non-food retailers could operate, including new and used vehicle dealers. Non-food retail outlets with lower frequency customer visits that had direct street access or direct access within a retail park were allowed to open.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From Friday 12 June, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk\/news\/executive-daily-update-initiatives-deal-coronavirus-11-june-2020\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the remainder of the \u2018non-contact\u2019 retail sector reopened<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, followed by <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk\/news\/executive-daily-update-initiatives-deal-coronavirus-11-june-2020\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the housing market<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on Monday 15 June.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Also from Friday 12 June, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk\/news\/executive-moves-forward-relaxations-coronavirus-restrictions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people (Step 2) were permitted<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. From this same date, the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk\/news\/executive-daily-update-initiatives-deal-coronavirus-11-june-2020\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">provision of day-care by places of worship and community centres<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> was allowed. And from Saturday 13 June, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk\/news\/executive-daily-update-initiatives-deal-coronavirus-11-june-2020\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">indoor visits were permitted with one other household for those who live alone<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, but excluding people who have to shield.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On 15 June 2020, Economy Minister Diane Dodds announced the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.economy-ni.gov.uk\/news\/partial-reopening-further-education-colleges-and-work-based-learning-providers-support-delivery\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">partial reopening of further education (FE) colleges and work-based-learning providers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to support the delivery of vocational qualifications this summer.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Executive indicated that visitor attractions such as museums, historic houses, culture and heritage venues, can also open from Friday 3 July.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">15 June 2020, the Executive <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk\/news\/executive-daily-update-initiatives-deal-coronavirus-15-june-2020\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">indicated that from Friday 3 July, indoor bars and pubs could reopen to serve food and alcohol on a table service basis<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">; hotel restaurants would also be allowed to reopen with hotel bars restricted to serving meals along with alcohol on a table service basis; and pubs and bars with outdoor spaces would be permitted to operate an outdoors table service selling alcohol.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On 18 May 2020, the Executive announced that <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk\/news\/covid-19-press-conference-18-may-2020\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">groups of up to six people could now meet outdoors, with social distancing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. However, meeting immediate family indoors, even with social distancing, was <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vimeo.com\/423627088\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">not declared safe<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (7:28; 16:25; 19:30).<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk\/news\/executive-agrees-changes-help-families-and-most-vulnerable\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">18 June 2020<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the Executive indicated their plan to allow religious services to resume from Monday 29 June, and this was <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk\/news\/executive-brings-forward-timetable-indicative-recovery-dates\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">confirmed<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at their meeting on Thursday 25 June. The Executive <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk\/news\/executive-agrees-changes-help-families-and-most-vulnerable\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">stated<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> what they would publish a Childcare Sector Recovery Plan to restore the sector to pre-COVID-19 levels as quickly and safely as possible to enable working parents to return to their places of employment. This stepped plan would include childminders being able to provide childcare to four families in their homes at the one time from Monday 29 June, with the expectation that childminders would be working at full capacity from September.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Minister for Education announced plans on 18 June 2020, to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.education-ni.gov.uk\/news\/weir-outlines-proposals-support-vulnerable-children-and-young-people-summer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">help support vulnerable children and young people in July and August<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with special schools summer provision, along with youth services with priority given to key worker children, and plans for a summer food scheme.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On 22 June 2020, Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon announced that there would be <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk\/news\/executive-daily-update-initiatives-deal-coronavirus-22-june-2020\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a phased return of MOT and driver testing services<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the coming weeks.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Groups of up to six people, not from the same household, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk\/news\/executive-daily-update-initiatives-deal-coronavirus-22-june-2020\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">were allowed to meet indoors from Tuesday 23 June<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. First Minister Arlene Foster stated: \u201cIt is recommended that social distancing should still be maintained, along with other mitigations such as ventilation and good hand hygiene.\u201d Deputy First Minister Michelle O&#8217;Neill <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk\/news\/health\/coronavirus\/coronavirus-thousands-in-northern-ireland-allowed-to-pause-shielding-from-july-31-39306022.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">said<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the change was intended to allow informal childcare arrangements to resume.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On 25 June 2020, the Executive <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk\/news\/executive-daily-update-initiatives-deal-coronavirus-25-june-2020\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">confirmed<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> permission from Friday 26 June for:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">holiday and tourism accommodation, including holiday apartments, homes, cottages, bungalows, caravan parks and campsites; and<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">travel to stay in a second home.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On 25 June 2020, it the following <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk\/news\/executive-brings-forward-timetable-indicative-recovery-dates\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">relaxations were announced<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and would remain under review until it could be ratified by the Executive ahead of the indicative date, based on the emerging situation:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">indoor training for elite and grassroots athletes (Monday 29 June);<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">resumption of contact sport training (Monday 29 June);<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">visitor attractions (Friday 3 July);<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">reopening of indoor gyms (Friday 10 July);<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">competitive sports (Friday 17 July);<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">limited numbers of outdoor spectators permitted (Friday 17 July) with numbers to be increased at a later date (Friday 31 July);<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">reopening of indoor sports courts and skating rinks (Friday 7 August);<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">leisure centres and soft play areas (Friday 7 August); and<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">socially distanced indoor spectators permitted (Friday 28 August).&nbsp;<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On 29 June 2020, the Deputy First Minister, Michelle O\u2019Neill, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk\/news\/executive-daily-update-initiatives-deal-coronavirus-29-june-2020\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">announced that the limit to the number of people who could attend outdoor gatherings would increase from 10 to 30.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On 2 July 2020, the following <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk\/news\/executive-daily-update-initiatives-deal-coronavirus-02-july-2020\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">relaxations were confirmed<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">reopening of betting shops (Friday 3 July)<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">re-opening of hotels, restaurants, bars, cafes and coffee shops (Friday 3 July);<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">resumption of further close contact services including tattoo parlours, piercings and spas (Monday 6 July); and<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the re-opening of nail, hair, beauty, barbers, tanning salons, electrolysis and acupuncture (Monday 6 July).<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From Monday 6 July, people who had been \u201c<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/factcheckni.org\/fact-checks\/health\/what-are-shielding-letters\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">shielding<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d could meet up to six people outside their homes, as long as social distancing is strictly maintained. In addition, people living alone and shielding could form a support bubble with one other household.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On 6 July 2020, the Executive Office announced that <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk\/news\/executive-daily-update-initiatives-deal-coronavirus-06-july-2020\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">indoor weddings and baptisms could take place from Friday 10 July<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Marriage and civil partnership services in local government offices and other venues could also resume from this date.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These indicative announcements were <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk\/news\/statement-executive-decisions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ratified on 9 July 2020.<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On 9 July 2020, the NI Executive announced that <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk\/news\/statement-executive-decisions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cinemas, indoor fitness studios and gyms, bingo halls, amusement arcades, outdoor leisure playgrounds, courts and gyms could reopen from Friday 10 July<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.&nbsp; They also indicated that outdoor horse racing and equestrian competitions could resume from Saturday 11 July. Outdoor competitive games and sporting events could also recommence from this date.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Libraries could re-open from Thursday 16 July, with social distancing measures in place. The reopening of indoor sport and leisure facilities, including skating rinks and leisure centres took place on Friday 17 July, but excluded swimming pools.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On 23 July 2020, the Executive <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk\/news\/statement-executive-decisions-23-july-2020\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">confirmed the following relaxations from Friday 24 July<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the maximum number of people who could gather in a residential setting would increase from six to 10, with a requirement that they come from no more than four different households and an expectation that social distancing and other public health advice was observed;<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">overnight stays in a different household would be permitted; and<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">community centres (previously restricted to child care) could reopen.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On 23 July 2020, the Executive announced <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk\/news\/statement-executive-decisions-23-july-2020\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the reopening from Friday 24 July of<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">swimming pools in leisure centres, hotels and private facilities;&nbsp;<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bowling alleys; and<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">wet treatments in spas, such as saunas, steam rooms and hydrotherapy pools.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additionally, from Friday 24 July, spectators would be permitted to attend outdoor competitive games with numbers to be determined by the venue in line with public health advice.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And Justice Minister Naomi Long announced that prison visits would resume from Monday 27 July.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On 6 August 2020, the Executive paused <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk\/news\/statement-executive-decisions-23-july-2020\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">an earlier plan<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk\/news\/executive-outlines-decisions-coronavirus-response\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">delayed the indicative date to reopen indoor pubs and bars selling only drink<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (known as \u2018wet pubs\u2019) until Thursday 1 September. On 26 August, the Executive <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/uk-northern-ireland-53923106\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">told the BBC<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that this delayed reopening would not proceed.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On 6 August 2020, the Executive announced that it had agreed with the Education Minister\u2019s plan <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.education-ni.gov.uk\/news\/weir-sets-out-revised-plans-reopening-schools\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">for schools to return to more normal patterns of operation and attendance<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (on \u201c<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.education-ni.gov.uk\/news\/weir-sets-out-revised-plans-reopening-schools\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a full time basis of five days a week for every pupil, including those who attend Special Schools<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d) from the week beginning Monday 31 August. The Minister, Peter Weir, also confirmed that schools would reopen to staff from the next week and to key groups of pupils (years 8, 12 and 14) from Monday 24 August.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On 6 August 2020, ministers <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk\/news\/executive-outlines-decisions-coronavirus-response\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">agreed to permit spectators to be present at indoor sporting venues<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from Monday 10 August, if operators could control access and ensure adherence to social distancing. The Executive also indicated that <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk\/news\/executive-outlines-decisions-coronavirus-response\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">theatres and concert halls could open<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to rehearse from Saturday 8 August. An indicative date of 1 September was given for the return of audiences with appropriate mitigations.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, this plan was not ratified, and in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/uk-northern-ireland-53923106\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a statement given to the BBC<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on 26 August, the Executive indicated that \u201cno further restrictions will be lifted at this time\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On 20 August 2020, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk\/news\/executive-statement-coronavirus-health-regulations\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the Executive announced<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that from \u2018next week\u2019:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the number of people who could meet indoors would reduce from 10 down to \u201csix people from two households\u201d; and<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the number that could participate in an outdoor gathering, including in a private garden, would reduce from 30 people down to 15; certain events\u2014including weddings, church services and sporting events\u2014would be allowed more than 15 people in attendance, if&nbsp; a risk assessment was carried out and necessary measures put in place.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On 3 September 2020, the Executive gave a new indicative date of Monday 14 September <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/uk-northern-ireland-54006992\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">for the reopening of soft play areas<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and the date was <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk\/news\/localised-restrictions-announced-response-covid-19-increases\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ratified on Thursday 10 September<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On Thursday 10 September, the Executive agreed to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk\/news\/localised-restrictions-announced-response-covid-19-increases\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">introduce localised restrictions<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on social gatherings in homes. The restrictions applied to the Belfast City Council area later extended to Greater Belfast, including parts of Dundonald and Carryduff), Ballymena town, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/BT_postcode_area#Rest_of_Northern_Ireland\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">postcode areas BT28, BT29 and BT43<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">no mixing of households in private dwellings, with exemptions for bubbling with one other household, caring responsibilities including childcare, essential maintenance, supported living arrangements, visits required for legal or medical purposes, or marriage or civil partnerships where one partner is terminally ill;<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">no more than six people to gather in a private garden from no more than two households;<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">anyone living in these areas asked to avoid unnecessary travel outside the restricted areas;<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">care homes and hospitals in these areas advised to significantly curtail visits as soon as practicable\u2014one member of a family permitted a visit once a week though more frequent visits might be permitted in exceptional circumstances, including palliative care facilities and those receiving end of life care; and<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">medically vulnerable and older people living in these areas asked to be particularly careful in following the advice on limiting household contacts, social distancing, hand washing and wearing a face covering, given the local levels of COVID-19.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Executive also announced <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk\/news\/localised-restrictions-announced-response-covid-19-increases\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">an indicative reopening date for \u2018wet pubs\u2019<\/span> <\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(pubs and bars that sell drink but don\u2019t serve food)\u2014<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk\/news\/localised-restrictions-announced-response-covid-19-increases\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Monday 21 September<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On Thursday 17 September, the Executive confirmed <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk\/news\/executive-agrees-date-reopening-wet-pubs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a new indicative date of Wednesday 23 September for the reopening of \u2018wet pubs\u2019<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> subject to new safe-guarding regulations being put in place.&nbsp; Venues would be required to:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">clearly display the number of people who can be safely accommodated;<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">make available hand sanitisation;<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">collect customer details to assist with the Test, Trace, Protect contact tracing programme;<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">serve customers seated at tables with no more than six people from any number of households at a table (children aged 12 and under discounted from the total, and more than six allowed if all from the same household).<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Face coverings were to be mandatory when customers entered and left venues and for movement inside but not required once seated. No standing and no service at the bar. And no dancing.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On Thursday 17 September, Health Minister, Robin Swan, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/uk-northern-ireland-54202059\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">announced that people living in the BT60 postcode area<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (around Armagh including Killylea, Tynan, Belcoo, Middletown, Keady, Darkley, Markethill, Kingsmills) would also be subject to localised restrictions from 5pm on Friday 18 September.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On Monday 21 September, the Executive agreed to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/news\/live\/uk-northern-ireland-54233836?ns_mchannel=social&amp;ns_source=twitter&amp;ns_campaign=bbc_live&amp;ns_linkname=5f68cc65741ac102ce3d545a%26Restrictions%20now%20apply%20across%20Northern%20Ireland%262020-09-21T15%3A55%3A13.215Z&amp;ns_fee=0&amp;pinned_post_locator=urn:asset:9a23691c-bc6d-4255-b7be-192677aeacfe&amp;pinned_post_asset_id=5f68cc65741ac102ce3d545a&amp;pinned_post_type=share\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">extend the localised restrictions right across all of Northern Ireland<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, coming into effect at 6pm on Tuesday 22 September.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On Tuesday 29 September, First Minister Arlene Foster told the Northern Ireland Assembly that \u201c<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk\/news\/statement-first-minister-arlene-foster-northern-ireland-assembly-covid-19-restrictions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a closing time of 11.00pm should be applied to the hospitality sector<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d.&nbsp; The so-called \u2018curfew\u2019 would come into effect from midnight on Wednesday 30 September, and \u201capply to those parts of the hospitality sectors subject to current regulations, including pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes as well as hotel and guest house bars\u201d. All businesses that serve food or drink in England, Scotland and Wales had been required to shut at 10pm since Thursday 24 September.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On Thursday 1 October, the Executive agreed to introduce&nbsp; <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk\/news\/statement-first-minister-and-deputy-first-minister-covid-19-localised-restrictions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">further localised restrictions in the Derry City and Strabane District Council area<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2018as soon as possible\u2019 (ie, as soon as the legislative changes could be drafted).<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Outdoor gatherings permitted, up to a maximum of 15 people.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No indoor gatherings where people from different households were mixed (with exceptions for weddings, wedding receptions, funerals, and post-funeral gatherings, services of worship in churches, individual exercise (but no exercise classes), workplaces where working from home is not possible, schools and colleges, managed youth and childcare services.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hospitality venues could only remain open for take-away, delivery and outdoor dining.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wet pubs only to serve customers outdoors.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All museums, galleries and cultural attractions to close, and libraries only operating a call and collect service.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On Thursday 8 October 2020, the Executive agreed to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk\/news\/covid-19-press-conference-8-october-2020\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">extend places where face coverings would be mandatory<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (2:19), including:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">workers in retail shops<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">in taxis and private buses<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">while boarding planes<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">in banks and post offices<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">visiting government buildings<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">driving instructors and their students<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Please refer to the NI Direct website for information about the latest restrictions. [This article was originally part of the COVID-19 Information Dissemination (COVID-19 ID) Project\u2014a partnership between Community Development and Health Network (CDHN) and FactCheckNI. The project\u2019s aim was to improve people\u2019s health literacy about COVID-19 by providing accurate and up-to-date information which would&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":21521,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[25,17,30],"tags":[216,61,205],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>What is Northern Ireland&#039;s COVID-19 recovery plan? - FactCheckNI<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/factcheckni.org\/topics\/health\/what-is-northern-irelands-covid-19-recovery-plan\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What is Northern Ireland&#039;s COVID-19 recovery plan? - FactCheckNI\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Please refer to the NI Direct website for information about the latest restrictions. 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[This article was originally part of the COVID-19 Information Dissemination (COVID-19 ID) Project\u2014a partnership between Community Development and Health Network (CDHN) and FactCheckNI. 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