Health Minister Robin Swann has confirmed that there are no plans at this stage for changes to the current arrangements for testing, contact tracing and isolation in Northern Ireland.
On Monday night, Mr Swann announced that all Covid-19 legal restrictions in Northern Ireland will be replaced by guidance from today.
He also strongly emphasised the continuing need for caution and vigilance in relation to the virus.
Mr Swann also stressed that there are no plans to change to the current arrangements for testing, contact tracing and isolation.
The minimum self-isolation period for people testing positive for Covid-19 has already been reduced.
The self-isolation period for those who test positive for Covid-19 was reduced from seven days to five days last month with the change taking effect from January 21.
Requirements for testing also changed recently in Northern Ireland, with people who get a positive lateral flow test no longer needing a PCR test to confirm that result.
The move in Northern Ireland followed similar changes across the rest of the UK.
But Mr Swann has warned that coronavirus is likely to stay with us in some form for some time.
He said: “ We cannot maintain emergency restrictions indefinitely. A large part of what we currently do to protect ourselves is already covered by guidance rather than regulations.
“This includes self-isolating when infected and taking lateral flow tests before meeting up with others. The guidance will continue to emphasise all the steps that we should keep taking to protect each other.
“I will, of course, keep the situation on regulations under ongoing and detailed review. We cannot rule out a new variant emerging down the line with new interventions being required. I very much hope that will not be the case.”
The importance of wearing face coverings in health and social care settings, on public transport and in enclosed indoor settings will also continue to be strongly emphasised.
While Covid status certification will no longer be legally required in any settings, hospitality and entertainment venues will still be encouraged to use it.
Hospitality and entertainment venues, conference and other events organisers will also no longer be required to collect visitor information.
Vaccine certification will continue to be available to the public – including for those who need it for travel abroad to satisfy entry requirements of countries they are visiting.
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