More than 307,000 in NI now waiting for hospital appointment - Some retail outlets CAN reopen - Marriage ceremonies outdoors with up to 10 people given green light

'Not unreasonable' to relax funeral restrictions - says DUP MLA Edwin Poots

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News   What's On   Lifestyle              May 28, 2020           Good afternoon everyone We have some positive news to bring you this evening.  Thursday brought hope of another significant lifting of the lockdown restrictions in Northern Ireland, with the Stormont Executive announcing a likely easing early next month if all goes according to plan. From June 8, First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill revealed that some larger retailers should be able to reopen, including car showrooms while outdoor weddings with up to 10 people will be permitted.  The Executive plans to confirm the lifting of these restrictions on June 4, but it will be dependent on the R-number remaining below one in Northern Ireland.  Nationally, and the fall-out from Dominic Cummins' visit to the north east of England during lockdown continues to cause controversy. Durham police revealed on Thursday that they don't plan to take any action against the government's chief advisor, even though he might have been guilty of breaching the rules when he travelled from his parents' home in Durham to Barnard Castle. Stay safe and I hope everyone is enjoying the gorgeous weather.  Alistair Bushe Editor, News Letter Twitter: @abushe7 If you receive this email as a subscriber thank you for supporting us. If you are a registered reader on our site you can further help us continue to produce quality journalism that matters. Digital subscription to the News Letter are available on www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions and pay just £1 for the first three months Today's news update: The Northern Ireland Executive has announced a further easing of lockdown restrictions The announcement was made at the daily Coronavirus briefing in Stormont on Thursday afternoon by First Minister, Arlene Foster and deputy First Minister, Michelle O'Neill. Another two deaths in NI brings death toll to 518 - six patients now fighting for their lives in ICU According to the Department of Health dashboard the total deaths in NI is now 518. Orangemen in Co Armagh have raised more than £60,000 to help those fighting against coronavirus and those worst affected by lockdown District and private lodges have provided food hampers for its own members and other vulnerable people in the community, donated to frontline NHS staff, raised cash for charity and boosted PPE provision in the area. Police have no specific guidelines for carrying out enforcement action at funerals, a senior officer has told Stormont's justice committee There has been criticism of police on social media following the emergence of pictures showing large crowds attending some funerals. DUP MLA Edwin Poots has said that relaxing funeral restrictions is 'not unreasonable' Mr Poots has told the BBC that he supports relaxing restrictions on funerals here. Current restrictions limit the number of mourners to 10 in NI. NI Coronavirus Live Blog Department of Health dashboard           More than 307,000 in NI now waiting for hospital appointment - with warning from Robin Swann that worse is to come           More than 307,000 patients are on a waiting list to see a consultant in a Northern Ireland hospital - and the Health Minister has warned that the figures will get worse.                 Experts predict heightened risk of substance abuse under lockdowm   According to a report in the prestigitious Lancet medical journal this week, one major concern about the impact of social isolation on populations is the likelihood of drug and alcohol misuse, a concern that has also been reiterated by the British Medical Journal.           Coronavirus: Some retail outlets CAN reopen - marriage ceremonies outdoors with up to 10 people also given green light   The Northern Ireland Executive has announced a further easing of lockdown restrictions.           COVID-19: Another two deaths in NI brings death toll to 518 - six patients now fighting for their lives in ICU   Another two people have died with COVID-19 in Northern Ireland.           Coronavirus response: Co Armagh Orangemen go above and beyond call of duty   Orangemen in Co Armagh have raised more than £60,000 to help those fighting against coronavirus and those worst affected by lockdown.           Glenarm Castle reopening announcement   Glenarm Castle on the Antrim coastal route has announced it is reopening today (Thursday) but with certain restrictions in place in keeping with Covid-19 pandemic guidelines.           'Not unreasonable' to relax funeral restrictions - says DUP MLA Edwin Poots   DUP MLA Edwin Poots has said that relaxing funeral restrictions is 'not unreasonable'.           No specific guidelines on policing funerals, senior officer tells MLAs   Police have no specific guidelines for carrying out enforcement action at funerals, a senior officer has told Stormont's justice committee.           Survey reveals surge in online religious worship during pandemic   The coronavirus pandemic has led to a surge in online worship across the island of Ireland, new research from Queen's University has revealed.                 View more on Coronavirus

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