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The Stormont executive has “very difficult decisions to make” in a “desperate situation,” Arlene Foster said.
Ministers are participating in an urgent meeting tonight in response to the growing number of coronavirus infections.
The Prime Minister, along with Deputy Prime Minister Michelle O’Neill, participated in a four-country call at 5 p.m. on the response to the pandemic.
Speaking to reporters at Co Fermanagh ahead of the executive meeting, Ms Foster did not rule out keeping schools closed.
“The advice we get is that we will have to act and that we will have to act very quickly,” he said.
“I made it very clear that I would like to keep the schools open as long as possible, but if it is the case that we need to close the schools as we did in March of last year, I will deeply regret it, but we will. Of course, take the necessary measures based on of the medical evidence before us. “
Asked about the first of the post-primary transfer tests, which will take place on Saturday, Ms. Foster said that it will be for the private companies conducting the tests to “take into account the advice that we will give tonight after the executive meeting.” .
The Prime Minister also expressed disappointment at the number of meetings and said that the ministers will talk to the police about the application.
“Just today they sent me pictures of Portstewart and Portrush over the last few days and there was a huge crowd gathered and I am really sorry for that because we have very difficult decisions to make tonight as a consequence,” he said.
“It is very clear to me that we cannot continue on the path we are currently on, 1,801 cases today, something similar yesterday, more than 2,000 the day before. We cannot continue in this direction or our health service will collapse, it will not be able to cope with what is happening.
“In terms of compliance, I have indicated that I have been disappointed in some of the actions in which I have seen people involved.
“We will also be working with the Northern Ireland Police Service in the next few hours to see what else we can do regarding the app.”
O’Neill tweeted: “Urgent and decisive action is required to respond.”
It occurs amid a growing number of Covid-19 cases.
A further 1,801 positive cases were reported in Northern Ireland on Monday, as the number of new cases over seven days reached 12,507.
Hospitals were kept under pressure with an occupancy rate of 99%.
There were 513 positive patients for Covid-19, 39 of whom were in intensive care units.
Dr. Michael McBride, Chief Medical Officer for Northern Ireland (CMO), described these figures as “deeply troubling.”
In Northern Ireland, a six-week lockdown went into effect on St. Stephen’s Day, which included the closure of non-essential retail stores, most of the hotel industry and close contact services.
A curfew was applied from 8:00 pm to 6:00 am during the first week of the last closure.
Dr. McBride said the Executive will discuss whether more is needed Monday night.
“We have put in place a significant number of restrictions, there are not many more restrictions that remain open to us,” he said.
“So it’s a combination of restrictions, but the most important thing is that we all follow the advice and abide by those restrictions. Now is not the time to duck, dodge, or find a way around the restrictions.
“The vast majority in Northern Ireland are complying with the guide and following the regulations, it is important now that everyone else does as well.
“We need to keep this virus under control, we have to get it back under control.”
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