Lockdown extended - but with some relaxations

Northern Ireland’s stringent lock-down has been extended by another four weeks.

Instead of terminating on March 5, it will now run until April 1.

The decision was taken at an Executive meeting to discuss the current health situation.

Arlene Foster acknowledged that the news is difficult to hear – but assured it would be the last: "We're now at a time for patience and persistence, we believe the best way to win the stage of our battle against Covid-19 is to dig in, to secure the position we hold, and then to slowly move forward.

“We need our decisions to be both safe and sustainable.

"I'm determined that by the proper sequencing of actions as we emerge from these restrictions, that we leave lock-downs in the rear-view, and we do not step backwards again."

Limited changes were made today though, Arlene Foster announced at a press conference on the Hill of the O’Neill in Dungannon.

🌳 From March 8, ten people from two households can meet outdoors in parks and open spaces.

🛍️Limited, contactless click and collect will also be available for retailers which the Executive has now deemed to be essential. Examples cited by the First Minister included shops selling items for babies, shoe shops and electrical goods stores.

🏫There’ll be a phased return to the classroom, starting with P1, 2 and 3 on March 8, followed by exam year pupils on March 22.

Sinn Fein Finance Minister Conor Murphy said the time has come for "baby steps".

"It's very clear we need to tread very carefully and when we do move out of the restrictions that small and gradual steps are crucial if we are going to remain on top of the virus," he said.

"So we have to be driven not by dates but by the path of the pandemic and by the imperative of protecting the health service."

Mr Murphy did raise some concern that people might interpret the latest extension date, which falls on Holy Thursday, as a signal that it would be OK to make plans for Easter without restrictions.

"I would advise people not to be looking at April 1 as the date that everything will be opening up again," he said.