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Micheál Martin and Boris Johnson spoke on the phone Thursday
Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Micheál Martin and Prime Minister Boris Johnson have expressed concern about the increasing number of coronavirus cases in Northern Ireland.
The two leaders spoke by phone Thursday morning.
Johnson also expressed concern about the impact of the “restrictions on the economy,” an Irish government spokesman said.
They agreed to monitor the situation and stay in contact.
Deputy Prime Minister Michelle O’Neill said she and Prime Minister Arlene Foster have called for “an urgent conversation” with Johnson due to the increase in cases “at an alarming rate.”
NI Medical Director Dr. Michael McBride will speak with his Republic of Ireland counterpart Dr. Tony Holohan later on Thursday.
It comes as the Stormont Executive prepares to meet to consider passing more severe fines for violations of coronavirus laws.
Justice Minister Naomi Long has been conducting a review of the sanctions.
The plans would see Northern Ireland’s fines comparable to other jurisdictions such as England, where the fixed minimum penalty notice is £ 200.
Currently, fines at NI start at £ 60, but can increase to £ 960 for repeat offenders.
People in Northern Ireland can also be fined £ 1,000 for failing to isolate themselves, which is lower than in England where the fine can be as high as £ 10,000.
Last week, Prime Minister Arlene Foster had warned that “tougher penalties are ahead,” in a sign that the executive wants to take a tougher stance on those who break the rules.
On Wednesday night, Health Minister Robin Swann told the BBC’s Nolan Show: “If the penalty for not covering your face is not enough for people to do it, then we have to increase that penalty.”
Robin Swann said he wanted retailers to “take part” in applying face coverage in stores.
He said ministers would have to “step up law enforcement,” which would require police involvement, and “our entire justice system will support the health messages that we need people to follow.”
Swann suggested that council environmental health officials can also be involved in applying face coverings in stores.
He added that he wanted to encourage the retail sector to “step up and take charge of this.”
Face coverings in the workplace?
The ministers are also believed to discuss extending the use of mandatory face covers to other settings at Thursday’s executive meeting.
Face covering is mandatory on public transport and for customers in stores, but ministers are likely to study the possibility of expanding the measure for staff in stores and other workplaces.
They are also expected to explore the possibility of extending stricter local restrictions to the Newry, Morne and Down Council area.
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Health Department
The Health Department used this slide in its briefing on Wednesday to show case rates in Northern Ireland.
However, it is believed that they could stop imposing the measures on Thursday, rather than keep the situation in Northern Ireland under daily review from now until Monday.
On Wednesday, Northern Ireland’s chief scientific adviser Professor Ian Young said that of the coronavirus clusters identified, more than half of them had been linked to the hotel sector.
Stormont ministers have not ruled out installing a circuit breaker during the mid-quarter holidays, if localized restrictions don’t help stem the rise in infections.
A circuit breaker is a lockout for a short period of time, possibly two weeks, to slow the spread of the virus.
All pubs and restaurants in Northern Ireland are likely to be forced to close for the two weeks.
But on Wednesday, Economy Minister Diane Dodds said it would only be feasible with additional financial support from Westminster.
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Peter Morrison / PA Wire
The drink bars only reopened on September 23 after almost six months of closure
Colin Johnston, Managing Director of Galgorm Collection, said “the stark reality” is that up to 75% of hospitality jobs could be lost in Northern Ireland at Christmas if there is another period of lockdown without support for the industry.
The hotel and restaurant business employs about 900 people.
“We understand that everyone’s health is of vital importance, however we must urgently find a way forward to protect jobs and livelihoods and the very future of the Northern Ireland hospitality and tourism industry,” he said .
It is believed that there could be more announcements next week from the Treasury about providing support to the hotel industry in the hardest hit areas of England, where pub closures are being explored.
That could automatically lead to additional funding for Northern Ireland through what is known as the Barnett consequence.
‘Dramatic changes’
Meanwhile, South Eastern Health Trust Acting Executive Director Seamus McGoran said now is “a critical time” for the NHS and the public.
He told the BBC: “It feels more like March, when we were not really in the foothills of the surf, but one third to the middle of the mountain. Unless we make drastic changes in our behavior within the community, we are going to be exactly where we were in two or three weeks. “
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