NI plan for easing lockdown "hopefully" announced later this week - O'Neill

by Q Radio News

Stormont's leaders have said the Northern ireland Executive's plans for easing lockdown in Northern Ireland could be published by the end of this week. 

The executive has been having discussions about how and when the covid-19 restrictions should be lifted. 

On Friday, the government in the Republic of Ireland announced a timeframe for lifting restrictions, starting the 18th May. 

Meanwhile, in Northern Ireland the executive must review its coronavirus laws by this Saturday 9th May. 

The regulations initially took effect on 28th March and have been already extended once. 

Deputy First Minister @moneillsf says plans to ease lockdown restrictions will hopefully be announced later in the week. pic.twitter.com/VgHrq0ZtKA

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) May 4, 2020

Addressing Stormont's daily coronavirus press conference, Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said plans will "hopefully" be published by the end of this week. 

However, she said publishing dates on phases of lifting lockdown, like the Republic of Ireland has done, could be problematic. 

First Minister Arlene Foster says the NI executive is continuing to work on its plans for lifting coronavirus restrictions. It comes after the Republic announced plans at the weekend, for easing out of lockdown. @DUPleader pic.twitter.com/0RFHbWs09b

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) May 4, 2020

Meanwhile, First Minister Arlene Foster the executive is focused on publishing plan "that is right", rather than trying to to get out to the public quickly. 

Mrs Foster also said she accepted the measures are "draconian" but warned the proper steps need to be taken to protect people from a second surge. 

The Department of Health announced six more people have died in Northern Ireland after testing positive for coronavirus. 

It brings the total number of deaths to 387. 

The Department's dashboard confirms five of those deaths happened in the last 24 hours, however, the other one occurred prior to that but has only now been reported. 

Meanwhile, a further 16 lives have been claimed as a result of COVID-19 in the Republic of Ireland.

The death toll there now stands at 1 thousand 3 hundred and 19.