The North's Agriculture Minister has issued a set of revised guidelines to help combat the spread of foot-and-mouth disease.
Mrs Brid Rodgers said it was time to allow some degree of normal life to return to rural areas as the risk posed by the disease had lessened. Under the new guidelines, sporting, cultural and social events may resume, but those who have contact with livestock should avoid them, she said.
The Minister said people could visit the countryside, "provided they continue to behave sensibly and avoid visiting farms or going near livestock."
Most public amenities, including tourist attractions, country parks and the bulk of the public angling estate will also reopen. Mrs Rodgers said the only areas to be avoided were the 10-kilometre surveillance zones around the outbreaks in Meigh, Co Armagh, and Proleek, Co Louth.
The Minister also warned the lifting of the export ban on the North could be under threat if an extended cull of sheep was not carried out quickly.
The slaughter was postponed on Tuesday after farmers near Meigh objected to plans to bury 2,500 slaughtered sheep at a nearby beauty spot. Following the objections, Mrs Rodgers met leaders of the two main farming unions, who brought proposals back to local farmers. A response was expected this morning.
Sources in the Department of Agriculture said last night the cull was also being delayed because farmers were demanding they be compensated at twice the market value.
Meanwhile, the Minister for Finance and Personnel, Mr Mark Durkan, said that next month's Northern Ireland census would go ahead, despite the foot-and-mouth crisis.