
More than four in five adults in the UK have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, as the vaccination programme continues at an unprecedented pace and scale. With 72,891,861 doses administered in total, 42,216,654 people across the UK have now been vaccinated with a first dose (80%), while 30,675,207 people have […]

Visitors to all care homes across Northern Ireland will be encouraged to undertake twice-weekly Lateral Flow Device (LFD) tests. Making this testing available for all asymptomatic visitors, that is those not displaying any symptoms, is an important additional mitigation in the fight against the virus, and is part of the Department of Health’s […]

Health Minister Robin Swann has called on employers to show flexibility with employees over Covid-19 vaccination appointments. The Minister said it is vitally important that first and second dose appointments are kept. “We have an ongoing issue at present with people seeking to reschedule their second dose dates,” he explains. “While […]

Health Minister Robin Swann and Education Minister Peter Weir have announced that the programme of regular testing for Covid-19 in post-primary schools is to be expanded to include all pupils. Since March, regular testing using Lateral Flow Device (LFD) tests has been made available to older students in years 12 to 14 in […]
Jun 10 2021 | Posted in
Coronavirus |
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The interval between doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca and Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines is to be reduced to a maximum of eight weeks. This will accelerate the vaccination programme as it moves into its final phase and will ensure that people across Northern Ireland have the strongest possible protection from variants of the Covid-19 virus. […]
Jun 10 2021 | Posted in
Coronavirus |
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The vaccination programme in Northern Ireland has today opened for everyone aged 18 and over. More than one million people have now had at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine – over 70% of our adult population – and more than 625,000 (over 40%) have received two doses. Opening the booking system […]

Testing is a crucial element in the pandemic response and will aid the reopening of Northern Ireland. Workforce testing is available to any organisation with more than 10 employees or volunteers. There is also a range of ways for smaller organisations or individuals to access testing, each of which can help keep the […]

Significant relaxations to the Covid-19 restrictions will come into effect from Monday 24 May, 2021. Ministers said the easements will be immensely beneficial to families, communities and the economy, and urged everyone to stay safe as they enjoy more freedoms. First Minister Arlene Foster said, “I’m pleased that we are in a position […]

The Executive has agreed to almost £220 million of Covid funding to support the social recovery from Covid. The health service, education, the arts, charities and sports organisations are among the beneficiaries. In addition to the £219.9million, £96.1 million is being allocated to meet costs associated with the business support schemes […]

Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has said that this week’s funding allocation to her Department of £50.3m will help provide support to the people, communities and sectors who have been directly impacted by the pandemic. Minister Hargey said, “My Department responded very quickly to the pandemic providing over £300 million in supports to people, […]
May 21 2021 | Posted in
Coronavirus |
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