Dr Tom Black, chair of BMA Northern Ireland Council, said: "Everyone has made sacrifices over the past few months with the current lockdown and this has unquestionably helped our health service navigate probably the toughest winter we have ever experienced.

"We have seen that the rest of the UK has lifted restrictions, so today’s news will be very welcome to the Northern Ireland population. Unlike the rest of the UK we share a border with the Republic of Ireland and, as infection rates in the Derry and Strabane border area is currently showing us, greater coordination on public health measures is needed between the two jurisdictions to help minimise further outbreaks.

"As these restrictions are lifted here we need everyone to continue to follow the social distancing and face covering guidance. We also need to watch the data and be ready to act quickly if we see numbers rising again."