Alliance Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw MLA has said clearer guidance is now required for clinically extremely vulnerable people about how to assess daily risk, after the remaining Covid-19 restrictions were changed to guidance.

“Many will have responded to this announcement with great relief, but for the group who were shielding it will have been met in many cases with further uncertainty and even fear,” said Ms Bradshaw.

“It should be emphasised this announcement was made possible by medical advice emerging from the much lower risk caused by the Omicron variant, which includes a lower risk to the clinically extremely vulnerable group.

“Nevertheless, that group would surely benefit from enhanced guidance on how to assess the current risk in the context restrictions in shops and hospitality have now been lifted. They are raising a lot of questions about a change which will have a significant change on behaviour and those need an answer.

“It should also be emphasised the legal requirement to self-isolate in the event of a positive test for the virus remains in place. This is there predominantly to protect those who are vulnerable to the virus.”