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Leaders of the power-sharing administration in Northern Ireland have signaled different approaches to the scheduled end of the toughest Covid-19 restrictions on November 13.
It comes as the Health Department reported eight more Covid-related deaths, bringing the death toll to 716.
685 new cases were also reported, from tests on 2,972 people.
There are 361 confirmed Covid-19 patients in the hospital, of which 48 are being treated in intensive care units.
Restrictions introduced earlier this month must be lifted more than two weeks before Tier 5 measures in the Republic end.
Based on the relative size of the population, infection, death, and hospitalization rates are much higher north of the border.
But the restrictions are less severe, and nonessentials remain open in Northern Ireland.
There was disagreement between Northern Ireland’s two largest parties, the DUP and Sinn Féin, over the introduction of the current restrictions.
Sinn Féin is known to favor a six-week term, but the Stormont Executive agreed to a four-week term.
Prime Minister and DUP leader Arlene Foster made it clear last night that her position is that the restrictions will end on November 13.
In a tweet, he stated that “the current restrictions will end on November 13 as planned,” adding that “we must adapt to live with the virus.”
However, the Deputy Prime Minister and leader of Sinn Féin in Northern Ireland, Michelle O’Neill, did not commit.
In a tweet, he said that “current restrictions will be reviewed before November 13,” and that “the focus should be to follow the guidelines and minimize the spread of this virus.”
O’Neill has said that he supports the need for a planned exit from restrictions to avoid a lockdown cycle, but has also made clear that all options must remain on the table.
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Finances are an important factor. The Stormont executive was only able to approve the current four weeks of stricter restrictions after the UK government committed funds to compensate local businesses and employees.
On Friday, Health Minister Robin Swann warned that expectations of a return to normalcy in Northern Ireland after four weeks of tighter restrictions are “completely misplaced”.
He also warned of the potential danger of a “premature relaxation of all restrictions.”
Schools in Northern Ireland will reopen tomorrow after an extended two-week break on Halloween, with stricter rules on the use of face coverings.
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