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NORTHERN IRELAND IS slated for a period of tightening coronavirus restrictions after executive ministers agreed to close schools, pubs and restaurants.
Pubs and restaurants are understood to be closed for four weeks, with the exception of takeout, while schools will be closed for two, one of which will cover the mid-term Halloween holidays.
The moves do not amount to a large-scale lockdown similar to that imposed during the first wave of the virus, but the measures nonetheless mark a significant increase in the administration’s response to spiraling infection rates.
It is understood that retail stores will remain open, as will churches and gyms for individual training.
Prime Minister Arlene Foster is to announce the restrictions in a special session of the Assembly.
Source: Presseye / PA
The restrictions were agreed upon after an intermittent meeting by the Stormont executive that lasted until after midnight and into the early morning hours.
A formal announcement is expected to be made during a special session of the Assembly in Belfast later today.
Most sports activities are expected to be limited to elite athletes during the four weeks.
The current restrictions on domestic mixing are expected to remain as is.
That would mean no mixing of households in private homes, with exceptions that include those joining in social bubbles, and private home garden gatherings limited to six people from no more than two households.
Hospitality establishment closures are expected to go into effect on Friday, October 16. The other measures will be implemented from Monday, October 19.
After the evening executive meeting concluded, Deputy Prime Minister Michelle O’Neill tweeted:
“The executive has carefully considered the next steps.
“We know this is difficult and that people will be concerned about their livelihoods, but we will do everything we can to ensure that there are protections for businesses, workers and families.”
Earlier, during a break from sometimes tense discussions, Prime Minister Arlene Foster vowed to “support” the businesses and individuals affected by the new measures.
The DUP leader, who will make the announcement in the Assembly, insisted that it was not an option to “close the country”.
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“For those who will be affected by the restrictions that we agreed to, we will support and assist and support them financially to the best of our ability,” he said.
The executive has carefully considered the next steps.
We know this is difficult and that people will be concerned about their livelihoods, but we will do everything we can to ensure that there are protections in place for businesses, workers and families. Update in the morning– Michelle O’Neill (@moneillsf) October 13, 2020
Foster said it was “critical” that school closures be avoided “in the long run.”
The Health Department reported another seven deaths from Covid-19 and another 863 cases on Tuesday.
In the last seven days, 6,286 new positive cases of the virus have been detected, bringing the total number of cases in the region to 21,898.
As of Tuesday, there were 150 patients in hospitals with Covid-19, including 23 in intensive care.
The Derry and Strabane Council area has experienced the highest infection rate in the UK and Ireland, with a seven-day average of 970 cases per 100,000 people.
The area is already subject to additional localized restrictions.
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