Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill has said the situation here is now ‘more challenging’ than in March, when the coronavirus began to spread across Northern Ireland.
Restrictions announced by the NI Executive yesterday come into force this evening from 6pm.
The restrictions are:
- No mixing of households in private dwellings, with exemptions for: bubbling with one other household; caring responsibilities including childcare; essential maintenance; supported living arrangements; visits required for legal or medical purposes; or marriage or civil partnerships where one partner is terminally ill.
- No more than six people to gather in a private garden from no more than two households. Children aged 12 and under from those two households are discounted from this total.
The restrictions will be regularly reviewed by the Executive.
First Minister Arlene Foster said the coronavirus has been on the increase since early July and confirmation that almost 400 people tested positive over the weekend and a further 125 today, is of grave concern to the Executive.
“The restrictions on domestic settings is a proportionate measure at this time – the risk of the virus spreading is greater in unregulated environments where people mix more freely with each other.
“But we know we may need to take further steps in the days and weeks ahead and our decisions will continue to be informed by the scientific and medical advice.
“We are at a critical point in the fight against the virus. People across Northern Ireland responded heroically earlier in the year to flatten the curve of infection and save lives. We need to dig deep and do that again and follow the public health advice to stop the spread of the coronavirus,” she said.
The Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill said she understood that the restrictions will be a concern to many. She added that they are a necessary step to slow the spread of the virus and save lives.
“The increasing rate of infection and the steps taken by the Executive should shake people from any complacency or misbelief that we are through the worst of the virus.
“The Executive has always said that it will step back and introduce further restrictions if the situation called for it. With the alarming increase in cases, we have decided to act now to extend the restrictions across the north.
“These restrictions will only be in place for as long as necessary. We will keep the situation under close review and if needed, we will consider what other steps the Executive can take to keep people safe,” she said.
And Health Minister Robin Swann said these steps are about limiting contacts between people in domestic settings and stopping the spread of the virus.
“I know many people are fed-up with Coronavirus but we are not powerless to stop the spread. Unfortunately, it is expected that further restrictions will be required sooner rather than later. Decisive and concerted action is needed to protect our most vulnerable citizens.
“By continuing to following the public health advice; to wash our hands, keep our distance, wear a face covering and download the StopCovid NI app, we can all do our bit to hold back the virus,” he added.
The executive is to meet on Thursday to consider further measures.