COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Ireland
Cumulative cases per 100,000 residents byLGD, as of midnight 13 April 2022.   <33,874   33,874–35,578   35,578–37,282   37,282–38,986   ≥38,986
Disease	COVID-19
Virus strain	SARS-CoV-2
Location	Northern Ireland,United Kingdom
First outbreak	Wuhan,Hubei,China
Index case	Belfast
Arrival date	27 February 2020 (5 years, 7 months, 2 weeks and 3 days)
Confirmed cases	713,294 (as of 20 May 2022)[1]
Deaths	3,445 (Department of Health)[1][failed verification] 5,325 (NISRA) (as of 23 June 2023)[2]
Fatality rate	1.87% (DOH)2.46% (NISRA)
Government website
Northern Ireland Department of Health

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TheCOVID-19 pandemic reachedNorthern Ireland in February 2020. Northern Ireland has the lowest COVID death rate per populationin the United Kingdom.^[3] Covid statistics were very available at the start of the pandemic. The vast majority of deaths were among those over the age of 60 and almost half were in care homes. According to figures, about 1 in 12 of over 5,700 who died from the acute infection were under 65.^{[citation needed]} Covid which is an undetermined origins virus is mentioned on the certificate of a handful of people per week. Covid can circulate in the hospital environment.

On 23 March 2020, Northern Ireland went intolockdown with the rest of the UK. A stay-at-home order banned "non-essential" travel and contact with others, and schools, businesses, venues, amenities and places of worship were shut. Major events such asSaint Patrick's Day were cancelled. A lengthy lockdown was forecast to severely damage the economy and lead to a large rise in unemployment. Thehealth service worked to raise hospital capacity. In mid-April, Department of Health modeling indicated the health service in Northern Ireland could cope with the expected peak in cases.^[4] On 21 April, Northern Ireland's chief scientific advisor said thecurve of new cases had flattened, and the peak had passed.^[5]

The lockdown was gradually lifted in June–July, as infection and death rates dropped. Schools remained closed for summer break, but re-opened in September. The infection rate (orpositivity rate) rose again that month and restrictions were re-imposed.^[6] On 16 October, Northern Ireland went into an eight-week lockdown, although schools remained open, and some restrictions were eased for one week. The lockdown was mostly lifted on 11 December. Following a brief easing of restrictions at Christmas, another lockdown was imposed on 26 December, including schools, as the positivity rate rose sharply. Amass vaccination program began, and the infection rate fell in early 2021. Schools re-opened in March, and the lockdown was gradually lifted from late April. In December,proof of vaccination or non-infection became mandatory to enter indoor venues. TheNorthern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency reported 5,325 where thedeath certificate mentioned COVID as one possible cause (seeStatistics), as of June 2023.^[2]

Health care in the United Kingdom isdevolved, with England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales each having their own publicly funded healthcare systems, funded by devolved block grants via theBarnett formula and accountable to separate governments and parliaments, together with smaller private sector and voluntary provision. As a result of each country having different policies and priorities, differences now exist between these systems.^[7][8]

TheHSC began testing for COVID-19 during February 2020, as of 19 February there were 35 completed tests all of which returned negative results.^[9] On 27 February, the HSC confirmed that the first presumptive case had been discovered in Northern Ireland in a woman who had returned fromItaly, the case was sent to thePublic Health England reference laboratory where it was confirmed as Northern Ireland's first case on 29 February.^[10] Cases continued to rise throughout early March with cases rising to seven by the end of the first week.^[11]

On 9 MarchBelfast City Council voted to cancel the annualSt Patrick's Day parade in the city.^[12] By the end of the second week the HSC started to advise people showing symptoms to isolate for seven days, cases had also jumped to 45 by 15 March.^[13] On St Patrick's Day, parades across all of Northern Ireland had been cancelled as cases reached 52.^[14]

On 19 March, Northern Ireland recorded its first death from COVID-19, with cases reaching 77.^[15][16] Reacting to the news,First MinisterArlene Foster said "This is a sad day for Northern Ireland. Ourthoughts and prayers are first and foremost with the family and friends of the patient who has died. And we are immeasurably grateful to our health service staff who cared for this person. This is not unexpected news. We knew that this pandemic would inevitably cost precious lives. We cannot stop it. But it is incumbent on all of us to do whatever we can to slow its spread and shield those most vulnerable from the effects of this virus."^[16] On 22 March, a second person died from COVID-19, with cases rising to 128.^[17]

On 20 March, theUK Government announced measures to further tackle the spread of the virus which included closing bars, restaurants, gyms and many other social venues.^[18]

Also on 20 March the UK Government announced a Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, where it would offer grants to companies to pay 80% of a staff wage each month up to a total of £2,500 per a person, if companies kept staff on their payroll. The scheme would cover three months' wages and would be backdated to the start of March.^[19] Later in March the Self Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) was announced.^[20] The scheme paid a grant worth 80% of self employed profits up to £2,500 each month, on companies whose trading profit was less than £50,000 in the 2018–19 financial year or an average less than £50,000 over the last three financial tax years for those who suffered a loss of income.

Cases confirmed by 20 March were 86 in total.^[21]

On 21 March, Northern Ireland suffered its largest increase in new cases to date with 22 new cases confirmed.^[22] On 22 March, a second person died from the virus.^[17]

A third person died from COVID-19 on 23 March, followed by two more deaths on 24 March.^[23][24] On 25 March, the largest increase in new cases to date was recorded as cases rose by 37 to 209, with 2 new deaths also being confirmed.^[25] Speaking at a press conference on 25 March, Northern Ireland's Chief Medical Officer DrMichael McBride said he believes the actual figure of cases to be "many thousands" and testing would increase to approximately 1000 new tests every day.^[26]

On 26 March, a further 3 people died from the virus with 32 new confirmed cases.^[27] On 27 March, 34 new cases and 3 new deaths were confirmed, with leading GPs in Northern Ireland writing an open letter calling for a complete lockdown, stating "Please hear and act on our heartfelt plea and move to adopt a 'complete lockdown' as we have seen in other countries, at the earliest opportunity. Time is of the essence.".^[27] On 28 March, Northern Ireland experienced the highest rate of increased new cases yet with 49 new cases, and a further 2 deaths.^[28]

On the evening of 28 March theNorthern Ireland Executive announced new stricter measures to combat the spread of the virus.^[29] Measures included:

• The ability to force businesses to shut and crack down on people who leave their homes without a "reasonable excuse".
• Penalties, ranging from fixed penalty notices to fines of up to £5,000, are being introduced as enforcement.
• Anyone who can work remotely must do so
• Employers must facilitateremote work where it is feasible
• No employer should compel an employee to come to work if it is feasible to work remotely
• Every employer must take all reasonable steps to safeguard the health, safety and wellbeing of employees during the COVID-19 emergency, whether working remotely or in the workplace
• Every employer must have particular regard to the safety of employees in the workplace and must put into effect the guidance on social distancing issued by the department for the Economy
• Every employer has a legal duty to ensure, so far as it is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all employees
• Where a business is failing to observe the department for the Economy guidance and breaching the legal duty on health and safety, the statutory authorities will take robust action, which may include prosecution for criminal offences
• Where necessary, the Executive Office will also use its power of direction to close or restrict businesses that do not ensure the safety of their employees.

Commenting on the new measures, Arlene Foster said "We are asking the people of Northern Ireland to make fundamental changes to how they live their lives. But we are doing this to keep you safe, to flatten the curve of the Covid-19 infection so that the health service has the capacity to deal with those who need their help the most." Deputy First MinisterMichelle O'Neill also commented "Each one of us has a personal responsibility to do everything we can to fight back against Covid-19 for the good of everyone across society. We will use every power we have to ensure people stay at home so that we save as many lives as we possibly can."^[30][31]

On 29 March, new cases announced by thePublic Health Agency were 86 and 6 new deaths, the highest for both in a single day to date.^[32]

Following the announcement on 31 March that there were 53 new cases and 6 new deaths, the totals at the end of the month of March were 586 confirmed cases and 28 deaths.^[33]

On 1 April, a further 103 cases and 2 deaths were confirmed as Health Minister Robin Swann warned that 3000 people could die in the first wave of the pandemic.^[34] On 2 April, 85 more cases and 6 more deaths were reported, bringing the total number of confirmed cases and deaths to 774 and 36 respectively.^[35] On 3 April, the largest increase in deaths and cases to date was published by the Public Health Agency with 130 cases and 12 deaths, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 904 and the number of deaths to 48.^[36]

On 4 April, a further 94 new cases and 8 new deaths were announced, as Northern Ireland's first COVID-19 testing centre for healthcare workers opened at theSSE Arena, Belfast.^[37] Health Minister Robin Swann said the new testing facility in Belfast "will allay some of the concern and speculation we have had of late. I fully understand the frustration that we have not been able to scale up testing numbers more quickly. This is not down to a lack of will or action. There are significant challenges including laboratory and staffing capacity and the unprecedented levels of global demand for testing reagents and swabs."^[38]

It was reported that more than 33,000 people so far had claimed unemployment benefits since the lockdown began, ten times the normal rate. Economists forecast that a lengthy lockdown and disruption would lead to hundreds of thousands of job losses.^[39]

On 5 April, an additional 91 cases and 7 deaths were reported, bringing the total number of cases and deaths to 1,089 and 63 respectively.^[40]

On 6 April, theOrange Order announced that the annual12th July celebrations were cancelled, as a further 69 cases and 7 deaths were confirmed.^[41] A further 97 cases and 3 deaths were announced by the Public Health Agency on 7 April, as a second drive-through testing centre opened at a MOT centre in Belfast.^[42] WithEaster weekend approaching, on 8 April, thePolice Service of Northern Ireland warned people against visiting local beauty spots, as the death toll increased to 78 with 5 more deaths and 84 new cases being reported.^[43]

A further 4 deaths and 138 cases were confirmed on 9 April as experts predicted a deeprecession in Northern Ireland following the crisis.^[44][45] Research by theNorthern Ireland Assembly Library found that Northern Ireland has a lower COVID-19 death rate per capita than the othercountries of the United Kingdom, and a lower death rate than the Republic of Ireland.^[46] It was also revealed that Northern Ireland has a higher COVID-19 testing rate per capita than the other countries of the United Kingdom.^[47]

On 10 April, a further 10 deaths and 112 cases were reported, bringing the totals to 92 deaths and 1,589 cases.^[48]

On 11 April, 15 more deaths and 128 new cases were confirmed as Health Minister Robin Swann called on theArmy for assistance in fighting the disease.^[49] New cases increased by 89 to 1806, and deaths by 11 to 118 on 12 April.^[50] On 15 April, 6 more people died of the virus and another 121 cases were confirmed, as lock-down measures were extended for another three weeks with deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill warning against complacency stating, "Our biggest danger in this period is complacency. The measures are showing positive results but if we relax our behaviour, we will be in danger."^[51]

On 15 April,Arlene Foster, theFirst Minister of Northern Ireland, extended the period of lockdown in Northern Ireland to 9 May, as 121 new cases and 6 new deaths were confirmed.^[52] Modelling by theDepartment of Health indicated that Northern Ireland had reached the peak of its outbreak, and that the health service in Northern Ireland could now cope with the expected peak in cases. Swann said that the peak "may now, potentially, be less severe than we had feared".^[4]

On 20 April, the Department of Health launched a new website that provides daily statistic updates, such as information on hospital admissions and discharges, bed occupancy and a breakdown of case and death numbers by age and gender. Speaking about the launch, Health Minister Robin Swann said, "It is vitally important to keep the public well informed. That includes the publication of statistics, as well as the all-important advice on how we keep ourselves and are loved ones safe."^[53] The new website also confirmed that 2,307 COVID-19 patients had been discharged from hospital by 20 April.^[54]

On 21 April, Northern Ireland's chief scientific advisor said the risingcurve of new cases had flattened in Northern Ireland, and evidence suggests Northern Ireland had passed the peak of its outbreak. He said that the number of cases could fall to a low level by mid-May if social distancing rules are obeyed until then.^[5]

On 23 April, the First Minister, Arlene Foster, said Northern Ireland may be able to ease its lockdown sooner than other parts of the UK. She said that easing restrictions will depend when public health criteria are met, rather than on a timetable. The Health Minister said "it's important we take our scientific guidance based on the science that is applicable to Northern Ireland".^[55]

As the death toll increased to 338 on 29 April, Health Minister Robin Swann committed to maximum transparency with regards to statistics regarding the COVID-19 outbreak, stating "I want to continue seeing the maximum possible transparency on this issue. I want to explore with NISRA if it is possible for it to report more frequently than once a week on deaths associated with Covid-19 across hospitals and the community. This is not straightforward and I want to thank all those who are working hard in this area to provide up to date and reliable statistics."^[56]

Following the announcement on 30 April that there were 73 new cases and 9 new deaths, the totals at the end of the month of April were 3536 confirmed cases and 347 deaths.^[57]

On 30 April, the UK Statistics Authority wrote to the Permanent Secretary, Richard Pengelly stating there were gaps in the data and daily time series have been lost since the statistics began to be released through DoH news releases. It was further reported that daily surveillance statistics should be released in a transparent, easily accessible and orderly way.^[58]

On 1 May, a further 18 deaths linked to COVID-19 were announced – 4 of the deaths happened in the past day (from the morning of 30 April until the morning of 1 May).^[59] On 5 May fourteen deaths were announced in the same care home inGlengormley,County Antrim.^[60]

On 7 May, the Northern Ireland Executive met to discuss a roadmap to ending lockdown restrictions, with an announcement due during the week beginning 11 May.^[61] However, despite working on this roadmap, at the time Arlene Foster and Michelle O'Neill warned against easing restrictions in early May as the infection rate was still too high. Ms O'Neill stated, "We're still in the response stage, we're still in the fightback against Covid-19, but we're also in the space where we're planning for the recovery and that's the light at the end of the tunnel that we know everybody wants to be able to see."^[62] Based on this evidence, the NI Executive extended the lockdown in Northern Ireland by a further three weeks until 28 May.^[63] It was reported that the infection rate is higher in care homes than in the community, which is inflating the overall infection rate.^[64]

On 8 May, theNorthern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) reported 516 deaths linked to COVID-19 up to and including 1 May. It reported that almost half of the deaths were in care homes and that three-quarters of the deaths were among the over 75s.^[65]

On 12 May, the Northern Ireland Executive announced a roadmap for Northern Ireland to exit lockdown safely. The plan consists of five stages which are set to start at the end of full lockdown which is expected at the end of May. The plan does not have specific dates as it is fully dependent on how low theR rate is at every stage.^[66]

Speaking about the roadmap, First Minister Arlene Foster said: "We recognise how difficult the current restrictions are. But those restrictions, and the determined people of Northern Ireland who have adhered to them, have saved lives and continue to do so. We don't want to keep any restriction in place any longer than we have to, but in relaxing any measure we must be cognisant of the potential effects in the transmission of the virus and our ability to save lives."^[67]

The Executive's recovery strategy sets out a pathway for us to emerge from lockdown in the safest way possible. This will require a series of judgements and decisions as we move forward. These decisions will be evidence-based, taking account of our unique circumstances here in Northern Ireland. As we embark on our phased recovery, we will remain focused on the health and wellbeing of our population; the impacts on our society; and our economy as a whole. Above all else, our priority will be saving lives.^[67]

Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said:

We don't underestimate the impact that the severe restrictions have had on everyone across our society. While they are still absolutely necessary, it is important that we give people hope for the future. Today we have set out our pathway for future recovery which gives an indication of how the restrictions on different aspects of life may be eased at various stages. The incremental five-step approach reflects the risk-based judgements we will make at each stage. These decisions will be evidenced by medical and scientific advice and benchmarked against our guiding principles and international best practice.The Executive's strategy is not time-bound because it's vital that we retain the flexibility needed to respond to the complex emerging situation based on all relevant evidence. Our recovery from COVID-19 will require a real partnership effort with the community. We are appealing to the public to please be patient. Keep adhering to the restrictions, follow the public health advice and stay at home. We will keep you updated every step of the way when we are in a position to slowly and carefully move out of lockdown.^[67][68]

On 18 May, the Northern Ireland Executive activated some aspects of step one with garden and recycling centres allowed to open. However, on the same day, it was announced that further measures of step one would be activated on Tuesday 19 May such as groups of up to six people who do not share a household being able to meet outside and private church services being allowed.^[69]

On 26 May, the Department of Health announced that there were zero deaths in the previous 24 hours, the first time since 18 March.^[70] On 29 May NISRA announced that there were 716 deaths from all sources up to 22 May.^[71]

At the end of May, there were a total of 4716 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Northern Ireland with 523 deaths.^[72]

Deaths and cases continued to drop at the start of June, as the Health Minister announced an £11.7 million support package for care homes in Northern Ireland, which includes funding for sick pay for staff.^[73]

For the first time since lockdown, there were zero deaths recorded from 6 June to 9 June and then from 13 June to 14 June. The Executive announced further easing of lockdown measures with all non-essential retail allowed to reopen from 12 June.^[74] The Health Minister also announced a new ID card for support carers which allows them to access stores during priority shopping hours.^[75]

On 15 June, the Executive announced more lockdown easing this time focusing on the hospitality industry with hotels, restaurants and bars that sell food or have a large beer garden being allowed to open from 3 July 2020.^[76] On 16 June the NI Statistics and Research Agency announced that unemployment in Northern Ireland had doubled between the months of March and May due to COVID-19 restrictions.^[77] On 18 June it was announced that from 6 July other services such as hairdressers and barbers are allowed to open.^[78]

On 20 June, there were no confirmed cases in the previous 24 hours for the first time since the first week of March.^[79] From 23 June it was permitted for 6 people to meet indoors, maintaining social distancing and no overnight stays. On 25 June it was announced that Northern Ireland would be reducing its 2-metre social distancing rule to 1 metre.^[80] At the end of June, there were a total of 5,760 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Northern Ireland, with 551 deaths.^[81]

One 2 July First Minister Arlene Foster called on Michelle O'Neill to resign following her attendance at the funeral ofBobby Storey. Foster says she cannot "stand beside" O'Neill and "give out public health advice" after she attended the gathering of 120 people, breaking Northern Ireland government restrictions that say no more than 30 people should attend a funeral.^[82]

As concerns about increasing unemployment grow, on 6 July the UK government announced a £111m scheme to help firms in England provide an extra 30,000 trainee places; £21m will be provided to fund similar schemes in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.^[83]

July saw a flood of relaxation of COVID-19 rules with betting shops, private clubs, restaurants, museums, and tourist sites opening on 3 July with salon and close contact services on 6 July. 10 July saw indoor gyms, outdoor playgrounds, weddings and baptisms, bingo and cinemas and competitive sports behind closed doors allowed. Libraries and indoor leisure centres followed.^[84] On 10 July the wearing of face coverings became compulsory on public transport in Northern Ireland, exceptions will be for those with a medical condition, children under the age of 13, and on school transport.^[85]

On 18 July research conducted byUlster University indicated that an estimated 240,000 to 280,000 jobs could be at risk under two-metre social distancing regulations and that reducing it to one metre could save up to 30,000 jobs.^[86] On 22 July the Public Health Agency says it has identified 16 clusters of COVID-19 involving 133 cases since its contact-tracing system began operating.^[87]

On 30 July the Department of Health released its contact tracing app called StopCOVID NI.^[88] On 31 July the advice which advised people who are high risk to shield from the public was paused, allowing them to stop self-isolating.^[89] At the end of July, there were a total of 5,948 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Northern Ireland, with 556 deaths.^[90]

On 5 August cases in Northern Ireland passed six thousand.^[91] On 6 August 43 new cases were announced by the Public Health Agency, the highest daily increase since the middle of May.^[92] On the same day the Executive announced that face coverings will become mandatory from 10 August and also the reopening of pubs that do not serve food has been postponed until 1 September.^[93]

Again, on the same day, it was announced that all pupils will return to school five days a week as normal at the start of term time in September. Education Minister Peter Weir announced that years 1 to 10 will return to class in protected bubbles, with minimised movements between classes for years 11 to 14.^[94]

On 20 August the Executive announced that some restrictions were to be reintroduced following rising cases in recent days. Restrictions announced included reducing indoor gatherings from 10 to six people and outdoor meetings from 30 to 15. On the same day thePSNI announced that they would be focusing enforcement on hot spots around Northern Ireland to stop the spread of COVID-19.^[95] At the end of August, there were a total of 7,245 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Northern Ireland, with 560 deaths.^[96]

On 1 September children returned to school for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic.^[97] On 9 September figures released by the Department of Education show that COVID-19 cases have been reported at 64 Northern Ireland schools in the first two weeks of the autumn term.^[98]

On 10 September the Northern Ireland Executive imposed new restrictions on visiting homes forBallymena, and parts ofGlenavy,Lisburn andCrumlin, following a rise in COVID-19 cases in those areas. From the following week, people living in those areas are limited to social gatherings of six and are encouraged not to travel outside the areas.^[99] The Executive also announced further easing of restrictions nationally in Northern Ireland such as the reopening of wet bars on 21 September.^[100]

On 21 September the Northern Ireland Executive announced that localised restrictions that had been implemented in various postcodes throughout Northern Ireland would now be applied nationwide from 18:00 on 22 September. The restrictions include: no more than six people to gather in a private garden from no more than two households and rule out any mixing of households in private dwellings, with some exceptions such as bubbling with one other household, caring responsibilities including childcare, visits required for legal or medical purposes and several others.

Speaking about the new restrictions deputy First Minister Michelle O Neil said "We have between two to three weeks from now to suppress substantial transmission, otherwise we risk even more cases by mid-October. The data is showing very clearly that the number of areas of concern are multiplying very rapidly."^[101]

On 28 September Health Minister Robin Swann announced that Northern Ireland had been selected as one of the regions to take part in a major UK trial of a potential vaccine developed byNovavax and supported by the Public Health Agency. Initially, there will be 350 volunteers taking part in the trial in Northern Ireland, speaking about the trial Swann said "It is vital that Northern Ireland joins this important world-wide effort."^[102] On the same dayUlster GAA announced loses of more than £2 million due to the pandemic so far.^[103] At the end of September there were 11,693 confirmed cases and 579 confirmed deaths.

On 2 October fresh restrictions were announced for Derry and Strabane, with pubs, cafes, restaurants, and hotels permitted only to offer takeaway and delivery services, as well as outdoor dining. Derry'sAltnagelvin Hospital also suspends some services to deal with COVID patients.^[104] Prime MinisterBoris Johnson also announced extra financial support for the Northern Ireland Executive to help deal with a second wave of COVID-19.^[105]

On 14 October the Northern Ireland Executive announced a new 'circuit breaker' lockdown effective from Friday 16 October for four weeks.^[106] Measures include:

• Schools to close from 19 October until 30 October;
• Bubbling to be limited to a maximum of 10 people from two households;
• No overnight stays in a private home unless in a bubble;
• Closure of the hospitality sector apart from deliveries and takeaways for food, with the existing closing time of 11.00pm remaining.
• Other takeaway premises will be brought in line with hospitality with a closing time of 11.00pm;
• Close contact services such as hairdressers and beauticians are not permitted to open, apart from those relating to the continuation of essential health interventions and therapeutics.
• No indoor sport of any kind or organised contact sport involving household mixing other than at elite level;
• No mass events involving more than 15 people (except for allowed outdoor sporting events where the relevant number for that will continue to apply);
• Gyms may remain open but for individual training only with local enforcement in place;
• Funerals to be limited to 25 people with no pre- or post-funeral gatherings;
• Off licenses and supermarkets will not sell alcohol after 8.00pm;
• Wedding ceremonies and civil partnerships to be limited to 25 people with no receptions. This will be implemented on Monday 19 October. Venues providing the post-ceremony or partnership celebration this weekend may remain open for this purpose but may not provide other services for people who are not part of the wedding or partnership party and this will be limited to 25;

And the following advice will be added to the existing health guidance:

• Remote work unless unable to do so;
• Universities and further education to deliver distance learning to the maximum extent possible with only essential face to face learning where that is a necessary and unavoidable part of the course;
• No unnecessary travel should be undertaken.

Speaking about the new restrictions, First Minister Arlene Foster said: "We are facing the tough reality of rapidly rising rates of infection. There are increasing numbers of people requiring acute care in our hospitals and sadly we learned yesterday of the death of seven people from Covid-19. The Executive has given careful and painstaking consideration of the right blend of actions that will do maximum damage to the virus but minimum harm to life chances today and tomorrow. We understand that these interventions will be hard but they will not be in place for a moment longer than they need to be. I would ask everyone to work with us to save lives and protect our health service."^[106]

On 14 October Health Minister Robin Swann also announced that the Nightingale Hospital at Belfast City Hospital was to reopen. Speaking about the decision Swann said, "It is not something I wanted to do – it was a decision I tried to hold off on for as long as possible. The virus is rapidly and exponentially and urgent action was needed."^[107]

On 4 November 2020, after 10 new deaths were reported, health officials advised extension of the COVID-19 restrictions on the hospitality sector for another two weeks to avoid further interventions before Christmas.^[108]

On 12 November restrictions were extended by one week, with some hospitality restrictions extending by two weeks until 27 November.^[109] The new measures introduced are as follows:

• Hair and beauty salons and driving instructors will reopen, by appointment, on 20 November.
• Hospitality will reopen on a "graduated basis", with unlicensed premises such as cafes and coffee shops also opening on 20 November, but with a closing time of 20:00 GMT.
• Alcohol cannot be purchased or consumed on such premises.
• Pubs and bars will be permitted to sell sealed off sales on 20 November.
• Restaurants, pubs, and hotels can reopen on 27 November, as the rest of the COVID-19 restrictions introduced on 16 October will expire at midnight on 26 November.

On 19 November the Executive announced that further lockdown restrictions will be introduced on 27 November. This includes all measures previously introduced in October, however cafes and all non-licensed hospitality will have to close once again, non-essential shops will close and all entertainment and leisure facilities such as swimming pools and gyms will be closed as well.^[110]

On 24 November plans for COVID measures over Christmas were announced by the First and deputy First Ministers, with up to three households allowed to meet up indoors and outdoors from 23 to 27 December, in line with the rest of the UK. But unlike the UK's other constituent countries, restrictions will be relaxed in Northern Ireland from 22 to 28 December to accommodate those traveling to and from the UK mainland, though they will not be allowed to meet up on those extra days.^[111]

On 3 December, the Executive agreed to ease restrictions on 11 December. Non-essential retail, close contract business, churches and gyms can reopen with social distancing and some limitations being observed. Parts of the hospitality industry can reopen such as cafes, restaurants and bars that serve food can open but must be closed by 23:00, wet pubs must remain shut.^[112]

Northern Ireland began distribution of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine on 8 December 2020, beginning with residents and staff of the Palmerston care home in Belfast.^[113]

On 17 December, due to an increase in cases and hospitalizations, the Executive announced a new strict six-week lockdown to begin on 26 December. Entertainment and leisure facilities, hospitality businesses, close contact businesses, and non-essential shops must close once again, now also including garden centres, homeware shops, and click-and-collect services. Hotels must close after 28 December, and all sports are prohibited, even at the elite level.^[114]