Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Ireland (2021)

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The following is a timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Ireland during 2021. There are significant differences in the legislation and the reporting between the countries of the UK: England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales.

Timeline[edit]

January 2021[edit]

  • 1 January –
    • Police in Northern Ireland issue 126 fines relating to illegal New Year house parties.[1]
    • AQE, which administers post-primary tests in Northern Ireland, confirms its examination, scheduled for Saturday 9 January, will go ahead as planned.[2]
    • Post-primary pupils will be required to wear face coverings in the classroom once the new school term begins, the Department of Education has announced.[3]
  • 2 January – Northern Ireland records a further 3,500 positive COVID tests and 26 deaths in the most recent 48 hours.[4]
  • 4 January – Rollout of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine begins in Northern Ireland, with 11,000 doses planned to be given in the first week.[5]
  • 5 January –
    • The Northern Ireland Executive announces that a stay at home order will become law from Friday 8 January.[6]
    • Figures indicate that almost 10,000 care home residents in Northern Ireland have received their first dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.[7]
  • 6 January – Education Minister Peter Weir announces that GCSE, AS Level and A Level exams scheduled for summer 2021 will be cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[8]
  • 7 January –
    • Belfast Health Trust says it has had no choice but to cancel urgent cancer operations because of the demand on its hospitals from COVID-19 cases.[9]
    • The major religious denominations in Northern Ireland have announced the suspension of public church services until February.[10]
  • 8 January –
    • At a meeting of the Northern Ireland Executive, ministers fail to agree on whether school transfer tests should be postponed because of COVID.[11]
    • Guidelines issued by the Education Authority indicate there will be no school meals for vulnerable children or those of key workers until mid-February at the majority of schools in Northern Ireland, and no transport to and from school unless it is requested.[12]
  • 9 January – Lorry drivers from Northern Ireland travelling directly to France from the Irish Republic have been told they will need a recent negative COVID test in order to do so. Drivers have been using a route from Rosslare to Cherbourg to avoid UK delays caused by COVID.[13]
  • 10 January – All of Northern Ireland's six health trusts have forecast that the number of patients in hospital with COVID could double by the third week of January.[14]
  • 11 January – The Department of Health confirms that 91,954 doses of COVID vaccine have been administered in Northern Ireland.[15]
  • 12 January –
    • Chief Scientific Adviser Professor Ian Young says that Northern Ireland's R number has fallen "significantly" after the rate reached 1.8 following a relaxation of rules at Christmas. First Minister Arlene Foster the fall is down to people "doing the right thing".[16]
    • The Department of Health publishes details of its vaccination plan.[17]
  • 13 January –
    • Health Minister Robin Swann confirms that over 100,000 COVID vaccines have been given in Northern Ireland.[18]
    • The AQE transfer test for Year Seven pupils, which had been rescheduled for 27 February, has been cancelled.[19]
    • Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride apologises as demand for intensive care beds in Belfast means there are no facilities available for kidney transplant operations.[20]
  • 14 January –
    • First Minister Arlene Foster confirms that the Executive have agreed plans to require international travellers arriving in Northern Ireland from outside the UK and Republic of Ireland to produce a negative COVID test before departure.[21]
    • Dr Nick Magee, a respiratory doctor at Belfast's Mater Hospital, warns oxygen supplies are under "extreme pressure".[22]
  • 15 January –
    • NISRA, Northern Ireland's statistics agency, records its highest number of weekly COVID deaths to date, with 145 recorded in the first week of January 2021.[23]
    • First Minister Arlene Foster and deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill hold talks with retailers in Northern Ireland over the sale of non-essential goods after Justice Minister Naomi Long called on them to stop selling non-essential items during lockdown.[24]
    • The majority of hospital visits are suspended in Northern Ireland in a bid to halt the spread of COVID.[25]
  • 17 January – Jennifer Welsh, Chief Executive of the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, says that hospitals are preparing for a peak in admissions from COVID during the coming week.[26]
  • 18 January –
    • Justice Minister Naomi Long confirms that a number of prisoners released early because of the COVID-19 pandemic have been returned to prison due to criminal activity.[27]
    • Finance Minister Conor Murphy unveils Northern Ireland's draft budget for the coming year, describing it as "difficult".[28]
  • 19 January – Health officials say that 154,000 doses of vaccine have been administered in Northern Ireland.[29]
  • 20 January –
  • 21 January –
    • The lockdown restrictions for Northern Ireland are extended until 5 March.[32]
    • Education Minister Peter Weir proposes prioritising headteachers for COVID vaccination to "enable continuity of learning".[33]
    • "A £2m fund is announced for pig farmers financially affected by the closure of a meat processing factory in spring 2020 due to an outbreak of COVID.[34]
  • 22 January –
    • Health Minister Robin Swann says it is unrealistic to expect all lockdown restrictions to be lifted on 5 March.[35]
    • BBC News Northern Ireland reports that plans are being drawn up by health trusts to ensure more urgent cancer treatment is provided in the coming week.[36]
  • Following the cancellation of transfer tests, it is reported that grammar schools in Northern Ireland will not use academic tests to admit pupils in 2021.[37]
  • 24 January – BBC News reports that testing capacity for the new COVID variant is limited, though testing is taking place.[38]
  • 25 January –
    • Finance Minister Conor Murphy confirms that almost £300m of funding set aside for tackling the impact of COVID-19 in the present financial year remains unspent.[39]
    • First Minister Arlene Foster has described Northern Ireland's ability to test for variants of COVID as "massively more advanced" than that of the Republic of Ireland.[40]
    • Police begin an investigation into possible breaches of COVID regulations at the funeral in Derry of Eamon McCourt, a member of the Provisional IRA who died from COVID-19.[41]
    • The Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland has reported a "sustained, noticeable drop" in the number of child protection referrals since schools were closed at the beginning of the present lockdown.[42]
  • 26 January –
    • The Department of Health confirms plans to vaccinate everyone in Northern Ireland over the age of 65 by the end of February.[43]
    • It is confirmed that Professor Ian Young, Northern Ireland's Chief Scientific Adviser and a prominent figure during the pandemic, is on leave from his post due to health grounds.[44]
  • 27 January –
    • Health and Social Care confirms that people aged 65–69 can begin booking their COVID vaccinations.[45]
    • Health Minister Robin Swann confirms that healthcare workers are to get a "special recognition" payment of £500 in recognition of their work during the pandemic.[46]
  • 28 January –
    • The Northern Ireland Executive agrees that most schools in Northern Ireland will not return until at least Monday 8 March.[47]
    • The Department of Health confirms that Northern Ireland is to receive a "significant supply" of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine the following week, allowing those aged over 70 to attend their local surgery for vaccination.[48]
    • First Minister Arlene Foster confirms that the Kent variant of COVID accounts for between 40% and 50% of cases.[48]
  • 29 January –
  • 30 January – Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove says he is "confident" vaccine supplies and the UK's vaccine programme can continue as planned, and that the EU "made a mistake" by triggering emergency provisions in the Brexit agreement.[52]
  • 31 January –
    • Police are warning the public to be aware of a scam offering a fake COVID vaccination; the recipient receives a text message inviting them to click on a link which asks for their bank details.[53]
    • Police are reported to be investigating potential COVID breaches after a large crowd gathered for the funeral of senior Ulster Volunteer Force figure Hugh Hill in North Belfast two days earlier.[54]

February 2021[edit]

  • 1 February –
    • Health Minister Robin Swann confirms that as of Sunday 31 January, 246,421 COVID vaccinations had been given in Northern Ireland.[55]
    • BBC News reports that some staff members at special schools will be prioritised for COVID vaccination.[56]
    • The Orange Order postpones a parade celebrating the centenary of the establishment of Northern Ireland that was scheduled for 29 May. It has also advised that no parades should take place in June.[57]
  • 2 February – GCSE, AS and A Level qualifications will be calculated by schools in 2021, it is confirmed.[58]
  • 3 February –
    • Health Minister Robin Swann confirms that COVID cases are falling in Northern Ireland, but that they are still "too high".[59]
    • Figures published by the Department of Health show that 4,000 "red flag" cancer procedures, including surgery and endoscopies, have been cancelled since the beginning of the pandemic.[60]
  • 4 February – First Minister Arlene Foster confirms that 263,735 people in Northern Ireland have received their first COVID vaccination.[61]
  • 5 February –
    • The police watchdog launches an investigation after a victim of the 1992 Sean Graham bookmakers' shooting was arrested for COVID rule breaches at a memorial service marking the anniversary of the shooting.[62] An officer is subsequently suspended over the incident, and another redeployed to other duties.[63]
    • The number of vaccinations delivered in Northern Ireland stands at 301,279, with 275,232 first doses and 26,047 second vaccines. But announcing these figures, Health Minister Robin Swann warns people against complacency.[64]
  • 8 February – People from Northern Ireland crossing the border into the Republic of Ireland without a reasonable excuse are being sent back by Gardai, and face a fine of €100 (£88).[65]
  • 9 February –
    • At a medical briefing, Dr Michael McBride, Northern Ireland's Chief Medical Officer, says it will not be possible to fully lift COVID restrictions until between 70% and 80% of people have been vaccinated. At present, 22% of Northern Ireland's population have been vaccinated, with most care home residents having received their second vaccination.[66]
    • The Irish Government has said talks are ongoing with the European Union to prevent further difficulties for Northern Ireland when receiving COVID-19 vaccinations from Europe.[67]
    • A report published by the British Red Cross highlights the effect the pandemic has had on loneliness in Northern Ireland, and urges the Executive to develop a strategy for dealing with loneliness.[68]
  • 10 February – Health Minister Robin Swann says that Northern Ireland must "tread carefully" when it comes to easing COVID restrictions, and that some measures may need to stay in place for a while.[69]
  • 11 February – Minister of Finance Conor Murphy says the Executive will take a "collective approach" to the upcoming review of Northern Ireland's lockdown, which will occur on Thursday 18 February.[70]
  • 12 February – The 80,000 people who received GPs letters advising them to shield are told they can now book appointments for COVID vaccinations.[71]
  • 14 February – Dr Tom Black, chairman of the British Medical Association in Northern Ireland, says it would be a "big ask" to reopen secondary schools on 8 March, but that he believes primary schools could reopen then.[72]
  • 15 February –
    • The number of recorded deaths linked to COVID-19 reaches 2,000.[73]
    • BBC News reports that at a meeting with school principals, the Public Health Agency has said that schools are not a major source of transmission of COVID-19.[74]
  • 17 February – The rollout of the vaccination programme is extended to carers and those with underlying health conditions.[75]
  • 18 February – Lockdown is extended in Northern Ireland until 1 April amid concerns that there could be a rise in cases prompted by St Patrick's Day celebrations, but schools will begin to reopen from 8 March, with Primary Years One to Three reopening.[76]
  • 19 February – Health Minister Robin Swann downplays the possibility of easing lockdown restrictions in time for Easter, saying that plans to reopen society, due to be published on 1 March, will be lead by data rather than dates.[77]
  • 21 February – After Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces new vaccination targets to offer every adult in the UK their first vaccine by the end of July, officials in Northern Ireland have said the COVID vaccination programme in Northern Ireland is "ahead of schedule".[78]
  • 22 February –
    • First Minister Arlene Foster wants the Northern Ireland Executive to "revisit" the timetable for reopening schools after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced all schools in England will reopen on 8 March. Currently only primary schools are scheduled to reopen on that date.[79]
    • Health Minister Robin Swann announces that Belfast's SSE Arena is to become a mass vaccination centre.[80]
  • 23 February –
    • Education Minister Peter Weir says there is a "strong case" for reopening all schools in Northern Ireland on 8 March.[81]
    • The Department of Health confirms that three cases of South African variant COVID-19 have been detected in Northern Ireland.[82]
  • 24 February –
    • The Department of Health confirms that more than half a million COVID vaccinations have been given in Northern Ireland, 478,235 of them first doses.[83]
    • As the Northern Ireland Executive prepares to publish its exit strategy from lockdown in the next few days, Health Minister Robin Swann says it is better to be "too cautious than reckless" over easing the restrictions, and urges people not to jump to conclusions on the matter.[84]
  • 25 February –
    • First Minister Arlene Foster says she has complete confidence in Dr Michael McBride, Northern Ireland's Chief Medical Officer, after the Democratic Unionist Party said health officials had acted too cautiously over their advice on opening schools.[85]
    • DUP MP Sammy Wilson is criticised for describing Health Minister Robin Swann as a "poodle for the unaccountable chief medical officer" on social media.[86]
    • Education Minister Peter Weir confirms GCSE, AS Level and A Level results will be published earlier in August, mirroring a decision made in England, with AS and A Level results published on 10 August and GCSE results two days later.[87]
  • 26 February – Health Minister Robin Swann tells the BBC that delayed decisions and party politics during the COVID-19 pandemic have inevitably cost lives, while the public health message has been damaged by politicians failing to stand together.[88]
  • 27 February – On the date that marks a year since the first positive COVID case in Northern Ireland, figures show that 35% of people have been vaccinated against the virus.[89]
  • 28 February – Police break up a crowd of 250 gathered to watch an "organised fight" in a yard in County Tyrone, an event in breach of COVID rules.[90]

March 2021[edit]

  • 1 March –
    • A change in rules regarding hospitals and other care settings allows care home residents to receive at least one face-to-face visit per week from one person. Daily one-hour visits to hospices are also permitted, while women attending maternity appointments can take someone with them.[91]
    • Ministers meet to discuss easing lockdown restrictions, but delay the publication in order to finalise their plans.[92]
    • People aged 60–64 are invited to book online for a COVID vaccination.[93]
  • 2 March – Northern Ireland unveils what deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill describes as a "hopeful and cautious" exit strategy from lockdown, but unlike England and Scotland there is timetable for lifting the measures. Instead ministers will meet each week to assess the information available to them and decide which restrictions can be lifted. First Minister Arlene Foster acknowledges the frustration felt by people but says the Northern Ireland Executive has learnt a lot about the virus over the past year.[94]
  • 3 March –
    • Chancellor Rishi Sunak unveils the 2021 budget, with an extra £410m for Northern Ireland. However, Finance Minister Conor Murphy claims as most of the funding is COVID-related, in real terms the additional funding for Northern Ireland only amounts to £4m.[95]
    • Health Minister Robin Swann acknowledges people's frustration at the lack of dates in the Executive's lockdown exit strategy, but says there are too many uncertainties to give specific dates.[96]
  • 4 March – Health Minister Robin Swann rules out the idea of vaccine passports for people visiting pubs or restaurants, saying the idea is "not something that sits comfortably" with him.[97]
  • 5 March – Figures published by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) indicate COVID deaths have fallen for a fifth consecutive week, with the virus mentioned on 55 death certificates in the week up to 26 February.[98]
  • 7 March – Speaking to RTE Radio's This Week programme, First Minister Arlene Foster says she is "alarmed" at the slower rate of COVID vaccination rollout in the Republic of Ireland, and says there should be greater co-operation between the Northern Ireland Executive and Irish Government on the issue of vaccine deployment.[99]
  • 8 March –
    • Pupils in Years P1 to P3 return to school. The plan is for them to return to remote learning on 22 March, but Education Minister Peter Weir announces plans to change this to allow for them to stay in the classroom, saying the present plans do not make "enormous sense".[100]
    • Dr Margaret O'Brien, the Head of General Medical Services at the Health and Social Care Board writes to GPs informing them Northern Ireland will shortly receive a "significant" delivery of COVID vaccine that will need to be used before the end of March.[101]
  • 10 March – Rapid COVID tests are to be rolled out to workers in the agri-food, manufacturing, essential retail and construction sectors.[102]
  • 11 March –
    • The Northern Ireland Executive agrees to keep children in nursery, preschool and years one to three in class after 22 March, rather than reverting to remote learning as originally planned.[103]
    • Queen's University Belfast and the University of Ulster have released figures showing the number of students suspended for breaches of COVID rules, with 229 QUB students suspended since August, and 263 from UU since September. The universities describe themselves as having "stringent" and "robust" disciplinary procedures in place for those who breach regulations.[104]
  • 12 March – The UK Government agrees to deploy 100 military medical personnel to Northern Ireland to help with the accelerated rollout of the vaccine.[105]
  • 14 March –
    • Health officials in Northern Ireland announce that use of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine will continue in Northern Ireland after its use was suspended in the Irish Republic amid concerns about possible links to blood clotting events in Norway.[106]
    • No further deaths are recorded for Northern Ireland over the preceding 24 hours; 2,098 COVID deaths have been recorded throughout the pandemic.[107]
  • 15 March –
    • People aged over 50 become eligible to book a COVID vaccine; Health Minister Robin Swann tells the Stormont Assembly that 30,000 vaccinations are booked in the first three hours of availability.[108]
    • Swann announces that all post-primary education staff, and pupils in years 12–14 are to receive twice-weekly lateral flow tests from the week beginning 22 March.[109]
    • The Department of Finance makes available £1.78m in business support grants.[110]
  • 16 March –
    • First Minister Arlene Foster announces some changes to COVID restrictions. All primary schools will return from 22 March, with all secondary schools returning from 12 April. From 1 April changes to meeting up will occur, along with some sports being allowed to resume. On the eve of St Patrick's Day, Foster warns the celebration "must be different" this year.[111]
    • Health Minister Robin Swann confirms that almost 17,000 procedures, operations and diagnostic tests have been cancelled during the pandemic; these include more than 4,000 red flag cancer procedures.[112]
  • 17 March –
    • Responding to criticism about the lack of dates for releasing lockdown restrictions, First Minister Arlene Foster says she understands that people want the restrictions lifted, but at the same time she does not want to have to "step backwards" again.[113]
    • Police are called to Belfast's Botanic Gardens to disperse crowds gathered to celebrate St Patrick's Day.[114]
    • Northern Ireland's four main churches announce plans to resume public services by Easter, with the Catholic Church planning to resume services from Friday 26 March, and the Church of Ireland, Presbyterian and Methodist churches planning to resume services from 2 April (Good Friday).[115]
  • 18 March –
    • Health Minister Robin Swann says that all adults in Northern Ireland will get their first COVID vaccine by the end of July in spite of an expected reduction in UK vaccines.[116]
    • Teachers will not be required to carry out COVID tests on pupils in years 12 to 14, it is confirmed.[117]
  • 20 March – Northern Ireland has another day in which no COVID deaths are recorded.[118]
  • 21 March – The Public Health Agency confirms the vaccination of Northern Ireland's homeless is underway, with 1,200 homeless people set to receive a vaccine in the coming weeks.[119]
  • 22 March –
    • All primary school pupils, and those in years 12 to 14 of secondary education return to face-to-face learning.[120]
    • Figures released by the Police Service of Northern Ireland show that 8,000 COVID related fines have been issued by them since the start of the pandemic.[121]
  • 23 March – The Department of Education confirms that around 700 staff working at special schools in Northern Ireland have been given priority for COVID vaccination.[122]
  • 24 March –
  • 25 March –
    • No further COVID deaths are reported for Northern Ireland for a second day in a row.[126]
    • Official figures show that 703,334, almost half the adult population, have had their first COVID vaccine, while 104,907 have had their second.[127]
    • Doctors have expressed concern about the level of COVID cases in the Derry City and Strabane District Council area, which has Northern Ireland's highest COVID rates, and call for better cross-border co-operation with the Republic of Ireland.[128]
  • 26 March –
    • No COVID-related deaths are reported for Northern Ireland for a third day in a row.[129]
    • Catholic churches in Northern Ireland reopen for public worship in what is described as "cautious and careful" return.[130]
  • 27 March – First Minister Arlene Foster is given her first COVID jab at a vaccination centre in County Fermanagh and says that she is "delighted" to receive the injection.[131]
  • 29 March –
    • Northern Ireland records another day without any COVID deaths.[132]
    • Belfast's SSE Arena opens as a mass vaccination centre.[133]
    • Plans are being developed by the Department of Finance and trade unions representing civil servants for what is described as an "enduring" working from home policy for Northern Ireland's civil service after the pandemic.[134]
  • 31 March – Health Minister Robin Swann receives his first COVID vaccination at a pharmacy in Ballymena.[135]

April 2021[edit]

  • 1 April –
    • The Department of Education confirms that all children will return to school on 12 April.[136]
    • The Northern Ireland Executive agrees a £290m plan to help economic recovery following the pandemic.[137]
  • 2 April –
    • Figures show the number of COVID-related deaths has risen slightly after falling for eight consecutive weeks, with 19 death certificates mentioning the virus in the week ending 26 March.[138]
    • Health Minister Robin Swann urges people to stay safe over the weekend, as the "stay at home" message remains despite the lifting of some restrictions.[139]
  • 6 April – First Minister Arlene Foster says she is hopeful that dates for the reopening of hairdressers and non-essential retail will be confirmed at the next meeting of the Executive.[140]
  • 7 April – Northern Ireland records another day without any further COVID-related deaths.[141]
  • 8 April – People in Northern Ireland aged 40–44 are invited to book their COVID vaccinations.[142]
  • 10 April – As the Department of Health announces that the milestone of a million vaccinations has been reached in Northern Ireland, Health Minister Robin Swann describes it as "a landmark" and urges people to remember "how serious the situation was at the turn of the year".[143]
  • 12 April –
    • Pupils from all year groups return to face-to-face teaching.[144]
    • The "stay at home" message is relaxed and replaced with a "stay local" message. Ten people from two households can meet in a private garden and up to 15 people are allowed to take part in sports training together.[145]
    • Outdoor retail, such as garden centres and car washes, reopen along with non-essential retailers resuming click and collect services.[145]
    • Belfast's Nightingale Hospital, based at the City Hospital, is stood down again.[146]
  • 13 April –
    • Northern Ireland reports another day without any COVID-related deaths.[147]
    • Health Minister Robin Swann tells the Northern Ireland Assembly it could take ten years to clear Northern Ireland's backlog of hospital waiting lists unless there is significant investment from the Executive.[148]
  • 14 April – Health Minister Robin Swann says the "scales are tipping" in favour of an acceleration of lifting COVID rules.[149]
  • 15 April – Stormont gives the go-ahead for outdoor hospitality, gyms and non-essential retail to reopen on 30 April, and for indoor hospitality to reopen on 24 May.[150]
  • 16 April – Northern Ireland's hotel quarantine rules come into effect, requiring passengers arriving from "red list" countries to go into quarantine.[151]
  • 18 April – Northern Ireland records another day with no further COVID related deaths.[152]
  • 19 April – Vaccination appointments are made available to a limited number of adults aged 35–39.[153]
  • 21 April – Patricia Donnelly, who leads Northern Ireland's vaccine programme, confirms "pop up" vaccination centres are to be established in areas where take up of the vaccine is low.[154]
  • 22 April –
    • Figures produced by the Trussell Trust, the UK's largest food bank charity, show that 31,000 food parcels were provided to children in Northern Ireland between April 2020 and March 2021.[155]
    • On the eve of the further easing of COVID restrictions, First Minister Arlene Foster says the process will move faster if possible, but this will depend on the effect of those relaxations.[156]
  • 23 April –
    • Close contact services such as hairdressers are reopened, while driving tests can resume.[157][158]
    • Outdoor visitor attractions reopen.[159]
  • 25 April – Northern Ireland records another day with no further COVID related deaths.[160]
  • 26 April – All people in Northern Ireland aged 35–39 can now book a vaccine.[161][162]
  • 27 April – Economists at the EY consultancy firm predict Northern Ireland's economy will grown by up to 6% in 2021.[163]
  • 28 April – Ahead of the reopening of outdoor hospitality in Northern Ireland, the regulations surrounding the reopening of venues are described as being chaotic by Hospitality Ulster, particularly as some venues have been told they cannot reopen unless their seating areas adhere to the regulations.[164][165]
  • 29 April –
    • Northern Ireland records another day with no further COVID related deaths.[166][167]
    • Hospitality Ulster says the majority of venues scheduled to reopen for outdoor hospitality have failed COVID safety checks.[168]
  • 30 April –
    • Non-essential retail, bars, cafes, gyms and swimming pools are reopened in the latest easing of coronavirus restrictions for Northern Ireland.[169]
    • All people in Northern Ireland aged 30–34 can now book a vaccine.[170]

May 2021[edit]

  • 1 May – A bar in Fintona, County Tyrone is fined £1,000 for breaching COVID rules after police broke up a gathering of 150 people. A police officer was also punched and knocked unconscious during the course of inspecting the premises,[171] and one teenager was later charged with assaulting a police officer in relation to the incident.[172]
  • 3 May – Northern Ireland records another day with no further COVID related deaths.[173]
  • 4 May – Health Minister Robin Swann confirms changes to hospital and care home settings from Friday 7 may; hospital patients can have up to two visitors a day from two separate households, while care home residents can have two one-hour visits per week from two people.[174]
  • 5 May –
    • Northern Ireland records another day without any COVID related deaths.[175]
    • Figures show that car sales increased by an annual rate of 14,000% in April 2021 compared to the same month in 2020.[176]
    • The Housing Executive has reported a 150% increase in the number of people seeking emergency accommodation during 2020.[177]
  • 6 May – Seven cases of the Indian Variant of COVID-19 are discovered in Northern Ireland.[178]
  • 7 May – A UK-wide decision to offer adults under 40 an alternative to the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine could delay Northern Ireland's vaccination programme, but people are being urged to continue coming forward. Under 40s will be offered the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine, but health officials say the decision to do so is not connected to any new information regarding the blood clot risk associated with the Oxford vaccine, but a change in the risk/benefit to younger people by falling COVID levels.[179]
  • 8 May –
    • Northern Ireland records another day without any COVID related deaths.[180]
    • With travel restrictions set to be relaxed in England, Belfast International Airport and three ferry companies serving Northern Ireland call for the lifting of restrictions between the UK and Ireland.[181]
  • 9 May – Northern Ireland records another day without any COVID related deaths.[182]
  • 10 May – Northern Ireland records another day without any COVID related deaths.[183]
  • 11 May – Derry City and Strabane District Council confirms the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race will return to Derry in 2022.[184]
  • 12 May – Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill says Northern Ireland is winning its fight against COVID and that it is hoped there can soon be a further easing of restrictions.[185]
  • 13 May – The Executive announces further easing of restrictions planned to come into force from 24 May, including allowing non essential travel to Northern Ireland from other parts of the Common Travel Area,[186] allowing spectators to attend sporting events, and allowing for the reopening of libraries and museums.[187]
  • 15 May –
  • 16 May – Northern Ireland records two consecutive days without any COVID related deaths.[190]
  • 18 May – The number of people in Northern Ireland to receive their first COVID vaccine passes one million, meaning roughly 69% of the population have been vaccinated with their first dose.[191]
  • 20 May –
    • Stormont gives the go-ahead for indoor hospitality to reopen from Monday 24 May, when six people from two separate households will be permitted to meet up indoors. A traffic lights system for overseas travel will also begin on the same day.[192]
    • People aged 25–29 become eligible for their first COVID vaccination.[193]
    • The Northern Ireland Executive has allocated £316m for COVID recovery.[194]
    • A letter emerges sent to Stormont by PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne on 17 April 2020 in which he warns that public confidence in the police could be undermined by asking them to enforce lockdown restrictions.[195]
  • 21 May – The Irish Government says it is "keeping an interest" in including Northern Ireland residents who hold Irish passports in an EU COVID certificate scheme.[196]
  • 24 May – Indoor hospitality is permitted to reopen, while six people from two separate households can meet up indoors again.[197]
  • 27 May –
    • COVID vaccinations are opened to everyone aged 18 and over in Northern Ireland, making it the first part of the UK to offer the vaccine to all adults.[198]
    • The Northern Ireland Executive agrees to scrap its advice for travellers to the Common Travel Area following criticism from the tourism sector.[199]
    • Health Minister Robin Swann warns that the size of Northern Ireland's hospital waiting lists threatens to undermine the principle of a free health service as figures show 335,000 people are waiting for a consultant-led appointment.[200]
  • 29 May – The latest health figures show that COVID rates have fallen slightly in Northern Ireland. They are fairly low in Northern Ireland, but remain above those for England and Wales.[201]
  • 31 May – About 100 military personnel who were deployed to help at the vaccination centre established in Belfast's SSE Arena withdraw after ending their duties there.[202]

June 2021[edit]

  • 1 June – The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland confirms the Twelfth of July parades will go ahead for 2021.[203]
  • 2 June –
    • Health Minister Robin Swann tells Ulster Unionist Assembly members the health service is in "big trouble" and requires "unprecedented collective action from the executive".[204]
    • Fourteen people reported to the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland over their participation in Black Lives Matter demonstrations in 2020 will not face prosecution it is confirmed.[205]
  • 4 June –
    • As many as 2,500 people have changed their second COVID vaccinations in the past seven to ten days, prompting a warning that doing so threatens to jeopardise the vaccination programme. Second vaccination appointments are usually generated when a first appointment is booked, but people have been rearranging their second appointments through fear about the Indian variant.[206]
    • People in parts of Kilkeel, County Down are being asked to volunteer for COVID testing after a small cluster of Indian variant COVID cases were found there.[207]
  • 5 June – Three testing centres are opened in Kilkeel amid concerns about Indian COVID.[208]
  • 6 June –
  • 7 June – Fifteen cases of COVID have been discovered through surge testing in Kilkeel, nine of which are believed to be Indian variant COVID.[211]
  • 8 June – Northern Ireland records another day without any COVID related deaths.[212]
  • 9 June – BBC News reports that the number of Indian variant COVID cases in Ireland has doubled to 80.[213]
  • 10 June –
    • In a document from the Department of Health to the Northern Ireland Executive, Health Minister Robin Swann warns "Normality, as we knew it in 2019, is still some way off".[214]
    • The gap between first and second COVID vaccines is reduced from 10–12 weeks to eight weeks, the Department of Health confirms.[215]
    • A series of concerts planned by Van Morrison at Belfast's Europa Hotel are cancelled due to COVID restrictions. The hotel had hoped to have them classed as trial events for the return of large gatherings.[216]
  • 13 June – Dr Frances O'Hagan, a GP in Northern Ireland, says people need to "look over [their] shoulders" as cases of Indian variant COVID rise.[217]
  • 15 June – Health Minister Robin Swann sets out a five-year roadmap to clear hospital waiting lists by March 2026.[218]
  • 16 June –
    • The latest figures indicate the number of possible or confirmed cases of Indian variant COVID stand at 254, a rise from 111 the previous week.[219]
    • Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon confirms that full MoT testing will return on 26 July.[220]
  • 17 June –
  • 18 June – There have been 906 new COVID cases recorded for Northern Ireland in the past seven days, a rise of 278 on the previous week. No deaths are recorded for 18 June.[223]
  • 20 June – Northern Ireland records another day without any COVID related deaths.[224]
  • 22 June – Around 9,000 students at Queen's University Belfast and Ulster University are to receive an additional payment of £495 from the Stormont Executive for disruption to their education caused by the COVID crisis. This is in addition to £500 to be paid to around 40,000 students in Northern Ireland.[225]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

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  187. ^ "ITV UTV News: More Covid restrictions could be eased in Northern Ireland by 24 May". ITV News. 13 May 2021. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  188. ^ "Covid-19: NI Executive urged to rethink new travel rules". 15 May 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  189. ^ "Covid-19: Police warn against Rangers crowds in Belfast's Shankill area". 15 May 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  190. ^ "Coronavirus: No new Covid-related deaths in NI in last 48 hours". 16 May 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  191. ^ "Coronavirus: One million receive first vaccine dose in NI". 18 May 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  192. ^ "Covid-19: Indoor hospitality set to reopen in NI on Monday". 20 May 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  193. ^ "Covid-19 vaccine booking opens for 25-29 group in NI". 20 May 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  194. ^ "Coronavirus: £316m allocated to pandemic recovery fund". 20 May 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  195. ^ "Covid-19: PSNI chief warned of lockdown enforcement risk". 20 May 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  196. ^ "Covid-19 travel: 'Interest' in NI eligibility for EU Covid certificates". 21 May 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  197. ^ "Covid-19: NI celebrates latest steps out of lockdown". 24 May 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  198. ^ "Covid-19 vaccine booking opens for everyone over 18 in NI". 27 May 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  199. ^ "Covid-19: Self-isolation guidance on CTA travel scrapped". 27 May 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  200. ^ "NI hospital waiting lists 'undermining' free health service". 27 May 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  201. ^ "Northern Ireland's Covid-19 infection rate falls slightly". 29 May 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  202. ^ "Military medics "very proud" as jab duties end in Belfast". 31 May 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  203. ^ "Twelfth of July parades to go ahead in 2021". 1 June 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  204. ^ "Robin Swann: NI health system in 'big trouble'". 2 June 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  205. ^ "Black Lives Matter protesters in NI will not be prosecuted". 2 June 2021. Retrieved 2 June 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  206. ^ "Covid-19 vaccine: Second jab date changes could 'jeopardise' rollout". 4 June 2021. Retrieved 5 June 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  207. ^ "Covid-19: Kilkeel testing appeal over probable Indian variant cases". 5 June 2021. Retrieved 5 June 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  208. ^ "Covid-19: Kilkeel testing centres open amid 'notable rise' in cases". 5 June 2021. Retrieved 5 June 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  209. ^ "Covid-19: Kilkeel 'has no more than five' Delta variant cases". 6 June 2021. Retrieved 7 June 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  210. ^ "Covid-19: Royal Black Institution cancels Scarva sham fight for 2021". 6 June 2021. Retrieved 7 June 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  211. ^ "Covid-19: Fifteen cases in Kilkeel after enhanced testing". 7 June 2021. Retrieved 7 June 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  212. ^ "Covid-19: No further deaths and 81 new cases recorded in NI". 8 June 2021. Retrieved 8 June 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  213. ^ "Covid-19: Number of Delta variant cases double in Northern Ireland". 9 June 2021. Retrieved 13 June 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  214. ^ "Covid-19: Robin Swann says 2019 normality a long way off". 10 June 2021. Retrieved 13 June 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  215. ^ "Delta variant: NI reduces time between Covid-19 vaccine doses". 10 June 2021. Retrieved 13 June 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  216. ^ "Sir Van Morrison: Hotel forced to cancel Belfast concerts". 10 June 2021. Retrieved 13 June 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  217. ^ "Covid-19: GP's warning as Delta cases rise in Northern Ireland". 13 June 2021. Retrieved 13 June 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  218. ^ "Robin Swann unveils five-year plan to clear waiting lists". 15 June 2021. Retrieved 15 June 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  219. ^ "Covid-19: Number of Delta variant cases in NI doubles over week". 16 June 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  220. ^ "Covid-19: MoT testing to resume at full capacity in July". 16 June 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  221. ^ "Covid-19: Live music and outdoor gatherings rule changes delayed". 17 June 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  222. ^ "DUP revolt over first minister confirmation". 17 June 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  223. ^ "Covid-19: NI records 178 new cases and no further deaths". 18 June 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  224. ^ "Covid-19: NI records no further deaths and 125 more cases". 20 June 2021. Retrieved 20 June 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  225. ^ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-57555521
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