Restrictions set to ease as planned

Ministers have confirmed the easing of coronavirus restrictions will take place as planned on Friday.

First Minister Arlene Foster said the Stormont Executive heard an update on the transmission of the virus, and agreed that the current R-number being around 1 has given the "necessary headroom to move ahead with the planned changes tomorrow.''

However she cautioned that while shopping, parts of hospitality and close contact services may resume, the public must follow health guidelines.

Covid ambassadors will be in town centres to provide advice and Mrs Foster said restrictions will remain on sport, including outdoor exercise limited to groups of 15 and spectators at outdoor sporting matches will be limited to 500.

She said gyms, swimming and diving pools can open for individual or one-to-one training and PE can continue in schools but inter-school sporting fixtures are not allowed.

Meanwhile church services can take place with worshippers wearing face coverings.

When questioned about the easing of restrictions despite the R number remaing high, Arlene Foster defended the decision:

"We haven't seen the impact of these last two weeks of restrictions,'' she said.

"Of course we are very disappointed to see the number of deaths this week, 73, that's a big number, and therefore when we look at these figures it's important we realise that comes after two weeks when we were out of restrictions.

"People have to realise that personal responsibility is the key issue here. We have made provision that people can get together over Christmas but they should do so in a safe way, and just because we say you can doesn't mean that you have to, and that's very key.

"Yes, we come out of restrictions tonight and into tomorrow morning but we are keeping a very close eye on where the R number is at, we'll be looking at that again next week and the week after to see where we are going with restrictions.''

However, the Health Minister remains concerned.

In a statement he warned that a "festive free for all” would be catastrophic for many individuals and families - as well as our hospitals.

Robin Swann said: “While we all want to enjoy the festive season, we must never get complacent about the Covid-19 threat. The virus is still circulating in our community and is still claiming lives.

"Each of us has choices to make about our actions. If there is a festive free for all with public health advice ignored, then it will cost lives and place unbearable pressure on our hospitals. We must avoid these catastrophic consequences.

"We all have to weigh up our choices carefully, bearing in mind that every situation where people meet up will involve a risk of the virus being spread.

"We have to keep doing the basics - reducing our contacts, keeping our distance from others, wearing a face covering and washing our hands.

"Be aware of particularly risky settings – crowded indoor settings with poor ventilation where social distancing is difficult or impossible to maintain.

"If a shop, pub, café or household falls into that category and looks too busy, walk away. Just because we can do something does not mean we have to.

"Our actions will dictate the timing and scale of any further restrictions that may be needed in coming weeks."

Meanwhile, both the First and Deputy First Minister said they are prepared to get the coronavirus vaccination publicly.

"I have no difficulty doing that, I will be taking the vaccination,'' Mrs Foster said.

She added having turned 50 this year she will be joining the over-50s group to receive the jab.

"I am very much looking forward to taking the vaccination to protect myself, my family and my friends and colleagues,'' she said.

Ms O'Neill said: "I am more than happy to take the vaccination whenever it is my turn, and more than happy to do it in public because I believe that is the way through, this is the real way to fight back against Covid and I'm absolutely 100% content to take it.''