NI executive meeting late at night called to discuss a possible travel ban from Great Britain

A LATE NIGHT meeting of the Northern Ireland Executive has been called to discuss a possible travel ban from Great Britain to NI.

Health Minister Robin Swann has distributed a document to his fellow executives communicating with his consultation with the attorney general on the legalities of imposing travel restrictions in response to the Covid-19 variant in Britain.

Swann is understood to have recommended issuing a guide warning against non-essential travel between Northern Ireland and Great Britain, and the North and the Republic.

The minister has also warned that anyone arriving in the region self-isolate for ten days.

It is also understood that Swann called for more groundwork to examine the legal issues surrounding the potential for introducing a formal travel ban.

Northern Ireland Deputy Prime Minister Michelle O’Neill called the meeting tonight. He said there is “no time to lose” in agreeing to a travel ban.

The meeting had originally been scheduled for 9 am on Tuesday.

O’Neill tweeted: “We are facing a very serious situation. The Executive must meet tonight. There is no time to waste in agreeing to a travel ban from Great Britain.

Belfast and Dublin must act together to keep everyone on this island safe.

His comments come as Prime Minister Arlene Foster warned that closing Northern Ireland to travelers from the rest of the UK would have serious ramifications.

Ireland imposed a travel ban from Britain for a period of 48 hours starting at midnight on Sunday.

The suspension will be in effect for at least 48 hours in an effort to stop the spread of the new strain of coronavirus to Ireland.

The measure is being reviewed tonight by the Covid-19 Cabinet committee and will be discussed further at a Cabinet meeting tomorrow.

With reporting by Orla Dwyer.