There is light at the end of the Covid-19 tunnel with the latest announcement of the easing of restrictions by the Stormont Executive.

Over the next month, more and more sectors of society will reopen as efforts at curbing the spread of Covid-19 are paying off.

From April 23 will see the re-opening of close contact services including training; outdoor visitor attractions including outdoor activity centres and outdoor sport organised by a club, individual or individuals affiliated will be extended to include squad training.

Driving lessons, theory and driving tests will also resume as will 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.

From April 30 there will be an increase the numbers permitted to gather in Domestic Setting Outdoors to 15 people from no more than three households and all retail will reopen.

The end of April will see the reopening and permitting overnight stays in self-contained tourist accommodation for one household only; unlicensed premises, outdoors only with a maximum of 6 people from 2 households per table and contact details recorded; licensed premises, including social clubs, outdoors only, limited to six people from no more than two households and contact details recorded.

The curfew on takeaways and on off licences will be removed and individual activities in gyms, swimming pools and other large venues – including with a carer and to allow 1-2-1 training/coaching with social distancing will be permitted.

The reopening of unlicensed and licensed premises indoors with mitigations and the remainder of Tourist accommodation have been given the indicative date of May 24. 

Indoor visiting in domestic settings, the reopening of indoor visitor attractions as well as the resumption of indoor group exercise and training.

First Minister Arlene Foster said: “This is a landmark day for Northern Ireland as we step firmly and with confidence on our pathway to recovery.

“I am pleased and proud that through our collective efforts we have reached a point where we have established a good level of control over the virus.

“We are now entering brighter and better times.

“This balanced package of relaxations will restore those familiar aspects of everyday life that have been missed dearly.

“I urge everyone to stay with us and keep following the health advice so that we can continue with our plans to more fully open up our society over coming weeks.”

Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill said: “Today, the light at the end of the tunnel has just got a little bit brighter.

“This is a day of positive progress. We have agreed a significant package of easements which will make a fundamental difference to people’s lives and wellbeing.

“The restrictions have been a necessary response to the pandemic, to suppress the virus and save lives.

“But they have taken their toll on people right across our society. I’m delighted that we are now in a position to move forward, thanks to the efforts and sacrifices of the public and the success of our vaccination programme.

“We can all take comfort from this progress and look forward to doing the things that are important to us while keeping ourselves and others as safe as possible.” 

The next formal review of the Coronavirus regulations under the Pathway out of Restrictions will be carried out on May 13, 2021.