Robin Swann warns 'normality still far off' as restrictions to ease further

The Health Minister Robin Swann is urging caution as further relaxations look set to take effect in Northern Ireland in the coming weeks.

The Executive has been meeting to hear proposals from the communities ministers about the return of live gigs.

It is understood Stormont Ministers agreed concerts and live music could resume on June, 21 subject to final approval on June, 17.

But an Executive paper from Robin Swann to his ministerial colleagues stressed 'Northern Ireland is not yet at a point where we can set a date for an end to social distancing.'

In his paper, Mr Swann also said the progress of the Delta variant provides 'grounds for concern.'

He added: "We are not yet at the point where we can set a date for an end to social distancing, the use of face coverings or the other public health measures that have been so important throughout the pandemic.

"Normality, as we knew it in 2019, is still some way off.

"While the number of confirmed cases of the Delta variant remain small, the evidence from Great Britain indicates that this could change very rapidly.

"Testing in the last few days has indicated that up to 25% of new cases here may be Delta variant.''

Mr Swann also expressed concerns the Delta variant was associated with a higher risk of hospital admission.

He added: "In the event of the Delta variant becoming dominant, modelling indicates the potential for a significant fresh surge of positive cases and hospitalisations by late summer/early autumn.

"It needs to be emphasised that this is by no means inevitable. Modelling is not a prediction and there are many uncertainties in every potential scenario.

"It is essential that good levels of adherence to public health advice are maintained, alongside take-up of first and second vaccine doses.''