Statement by TUV leader Jim Allister:
“After keeping children out of the schools and business owners and customers out of stores for much longer than justifiable today’s movement is welcome in so far as it goes. Public patience went a long time ago. I have no doubt that the large volume of correspondence demanding to know why the public was still being denied their fundamental rights to go about their lives and attempt to save their businesses played a huge part in today’s announcement.
“With the success of our vaccination program and the small number of people in hospital due to the virus keeping the population in lockdown is indefensible, particularly as people see the restrictions easing with much greater speed on the mainland.
“The obvious danger to Northern Ireland going forward comes from Republic which is tied to the EU’s failing vaccination policy. That failure should not, however, be allowed to be used as an excuse to keep businesses in lockdown in this part of the UK. Lockdown is an economic wrecking ball and the sooner we can put it behind us the better.”