Northern Ireland has axed all remaining Covid laws and will replace them with ‘guidance’ from midnight, Health Minister Robin Swann announced.
But he urged the public not to ‘jump the gun’, warning that the pandemic is ‘not over.
It comes after advice from the chief medical officer in Northern Ireland, Sir Michael McBride.
Stormont ministers had earlier given their ‘unanimous support’ to Mr Swann to ease Covid restrictions in Northern Ireland, according to Michelle O’Neil, Sinn Fein’s leader in Stormont.
Last week Mr Swann, who has himself tested positive for Covid, was advised on the potential legal implications of him replacing regulations with guidance, without the wider endorsement of an executive.
Mr Swann wrote to other ministers asking for their input and asked for them to respond by today.
All remaining Covid-19 legal restrictions in Northern Ireland are to be lifted and replaced by guidance from February 15, Health Minister Robin Swann (pictured) said
Stormont ministers had earlier given their ‘unanimous support’ to Mr Swann to ease Covid restrictions in Northern Ireland, according to Michelle O’Neil, Sinn Fein’s leader in Stormont
Present Covid-19 regulations in Northern Ireland were not due to expire until March 24 but were reviewed by the executive every three weeks previously.
However, Northern Ireland currently has no functioning executive after the DUP removed Paul Givan as first minister, as part of a protest against the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Mr Swann was considering whether removing restrictions in Northern Ireland would cut across the responsibilities of any other ministers.
Present Covid-19 regulations in Northern Ireland were not due to expire until March 24, but were reviewed by the executive every three weeks previously. However, Northern Ireland currently has no functioning executive after the DUP removed Paul Givan (pictured) as first minister, as part of a protest against the Northern Ireland Protocol
In a statement this evening, Mr Swann said: ‘Today’s announcement follows consideration of legal advice from the Attorney General and consultation with all ministerial colleagues.
‘It moves our response against Covid into a new phase. With the reduced threat from the Omicron variant, we can move away from an emergency and legalistic framework to a new approach where making safer choices is embedded in our daily lives.
‘That means all of us continuing to do our best to cut down risks of infection and transmission. It means looking after each other by following the public health guidance.
‘It must always be remembered that taking unnecessary risks with Covid may affect people who are particularly vulnerable to the virus.
‘So please do not jump the gun and start behaving as if the pandemic is over. That is not the case.’
The Health Minister said that while the Omicron variant was less severe than previous coronavirus strains, ‘community transmission remains very high and hospital pressures significant.’ Pictured: A hospitality worker in Ulster wearing a mask
Covid legal restrictions in Northern Ireland which were implemented on January 26 and are to be replaced by guidance (pictured)
The Health Minister said that while the Omicron variant was less severe than previous coronavirus strains, ‘community transmission remains very high and hospital pressures significant.’
He added: ‘The most vulnerable as a result of the underlying disease remain susceptible to severe illness and it is important that we all do what we can to protect them.’
Mr Swann said that he will keep Northern Ireland’s current situation under review.
He said: ‘Coronavirus is likely to stay with us in some form for some time. We cannot maintain emergency restrictions indefinitely. A large part of what we currently do to protect ourselves is already covered by guidance rather than regulations.
‘This includes self-isolating when infected and taking lateral flow tests before meeting up with others. The guidance will continue to emphasize all the steps that we should keep taking to protect each other.
‘I will, of course, keep the situation on regulations under ongoing and detailed review. We cannot rule out a new variant emerging down the line with new interventions being required. I very much hope that will not be the case.’
Health officials had advised Mr Swann that the decision to ease restrictions would likely not create a major rise in the number of people in intensive care.
Earlier, Ms O’Neill said: ‘Firstly, let me wish our Health Minister well, he has obviously tested positive for Covid.
‘He has a big job ahead of him and I am glad that there has been unanimously support for him to move forward in terms of the Covid restrictions.
‘Backed up by the health advice that we are now in a space where hopefully we are able to see the easement of restrictions and a bit more of normality return.
‘We will continue to work with the Health Minister in that regard.’
Health officials had advised Mr Swann that the decision to ease restrictions would likely not create a major rise in the number of people in intensive care. Pictured: Mr Swann speaking today during a video call in the Adoption and Children Bill debate
Ms O’Neill added: ‘I believe everybody has now responded to say that they are content that he proceeds, as per the health advice.
‘So, I suspect that over the course of today or tomorrow Robin will bring forward those easements.’
Meanwhile, two more people who had previously tested positive for Covid-19 have died in Northern Ireland, the Department of Health said.
Another 2,465 confirmed cases of the virus have also been reported in the last 24-hours.
On Monday there were 437 Covid-19 in-patients, with 13 in intensive care.
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