NO decision will be taken on today by Stormont’s Health Minister to remove the North of Ireland’s remaining Covid-19 restrictions.
Robin Swann had to legally review the remaining measures in the absence of an executive.
The Executive collapsed last week after the DUP withdrew Paul Givan as first minister.
Mr Swann said he has now has “detailed legal advice” on whether he can act to remove the remaining rules himself.
In a statement issued via the Department of Health, he said: “I can confirm I have now received detailed legal advice on the factors that need to be considered when seeking to amend executive Covid regulations in the absence of an executive.
“This advice is now being given careful consideration and it is my intention to engage with ministerial colleagues.”
On Monday, Mr Swann had said he hoped to remove remaining restrictions this week.
The Executive had been due to discuss lifting the last of the Covid restrictions on Thursday, but can no longer meet because of Mr Givan’s resignation.
The Covid-19 regulations are not due to expire until March 24, but the Executive had previously been carrying out a review of the rules every three weeks.
Those remaining restrictions include:
The legal duty on retail to take reasonable measures to reduce the risk of transmission
the legal requirement to wear face coverings and the associated duty on businesses to take reasonable measures to ensure compliance
the legal requirement for risk assessments in prescribed settings
the legal requirement for recording visitor information in prescribed settings
the remaining legal requirements in relation to Covid-status certification
the guidance on the regular use of lateral flow testing, and in particular before meeting up with others.
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