Written Ministerial Statement

The content of this written ministerial statement is as received at the time from the Minister. It has not been subject to the official reporting (Hansard) process.

The Executive Office - Decisions of the Executive on COVID-19, 27 May 2021

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Published on Friday, 28 May 2021.

Mrs Arlene Foster (The First Minister) and Mrs Michelle O’Neill (The deputy First Minister): We continue to make good progress on our pathway out of restrictions.

The vaccination programme is progressing at pace and the key health indicators are encouraging, with case numbers and hospital admissions remaining at a relatively low level.

The Executive has yesterday confirmed the return of indoor competitive sport from 31 May, with mitigations.

Recognising the need for clarity on movement within the Common Travel Area (CTA), the Executive has agreed to update the guidance with immediate effect.

While we ask everyone to think carefully about the need to travel, anyone seeking to travel here from within the CTA may now do so for any reason without the requirement to self-isolate.

Those arriving here from another area of the CTA who are staying at least overnight, are asked to:

• Take a Lateral Flow Device (LFD) test before they make the journey; and only travel if the test is negative.
• Take an LFD test on days two and eight after arrival; and if either test is positive, self-isolate immediately.
  

People should not make the journey if they have Covid symptoms; and must not travel if they know they have Covid-19.

This advice applies to visitors from other parts of the CTA, and those who are ordinarily resident here and returning home from another part of the CTA.

In light of the higher prevalence of variants of concern (VOCs) in other regions of the CTA, it is important that these measures are adhered to, which will help to mitigate against the risks of transmission.

It remains crucially important that everyone follows the public health advice and takes all possible steps to keep themselves and others safe.