Robin Swann hopes 'relaxations will be permanent' as lockdown lifts

The Health Minister says he is optimistic changes to lockdown rules which come into effect from today (Friday) will not need to be reversed.

Robin Swann was speaking as Northern Ireland marks a milestone day in the pathway out of lockdown.

Outdoor visitor attractions, hairdressers and close contact services reopen, driving lessons and tests resume, competitive sport (up to 100) returns and static band practice is permitted outdoors from today.

It is the first significant easing of restrictions in Northern Ireland in almost four weeks.

The Executive's pathway out of lockdown did not include any timeline initially but that changed when the First and Deputy First Minister announced major changes to be brought in on April, 23, 30 and May, 24.

Here is the full list of what can is changing today:

• Re-opening of close contact services, including training;

• Resumption of driving instruction and theory tests;

• Driving testing can resume;

• Competitive outdoor sport organised by a club, individual or individuals affiliated, with participant numbers not exceeding 100 and no spectators permitted, can return;

• Outdoor sport organised by a club, individual or individuals affiliated extended to include squad training;

• Re-opening of outdoor visitor attractions including outdoor activity centres;

• Resumption of Equine Assisted Therapy and Learning (EATL) on an indoor and outdoor basis in gatherings of up to 30 people; and

• Static band practice/rehearsal will be permitted in agreed outdoor locations.

Mr Swann said while case numbers are expected to rise because of these relaxations, he is hopeful that will not translate into hospitalisations:

"However there is an ongoing increased risk of transmissibility due to the variants which have emerged since December whilst the relaxations of measures will hopefully now be permanent.

"Although there is a high level of uncertainty regarding the short to medium trajectory of this virus...it is expected that as more and more of society opens up, cases in Northern Ireland will rise, even as the vaccination programme continues to be rolled out.

"The extent to which hospital admissions will rise will depend on the magnitude of the increase in cases.

"However, we expect that any increase in hospital admissions will be proportionately less than in previous periods as cases will affect younger age groups who are less likely to become more severely ill."