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Northern Ireland Prime Minister Arlene Foster has said that the North will not adopt the UK government’s new coronavirus catchphrase “Stay vigilant” but will stick to the message “Stay home, save lives”.
It came as British Prime Minister Boris Johnson prepared to address the nation at 7 p.m. Sunday, describing how the closure measures, introduced on March 23, will be eased.
Speaking to BBC radio in Northern Ireland on Sunday, Ms. Foster said: “Overall, the message is to stay home. We will say that we are not deviating from the message at this time.
“It is important for people to know that we are not babysitting this. Once we can move, we will move. “
She said there may be slight differences in how blockade measures are eased across the UK, but warned that Northern Ireland’s measures would be nuanced.
The reproductive rate in Northern Ireland (R0), the number of people infected by an infected person, is currently 0.8.
Ms Foster said that is higher than some areas in England and that it must be reduced before the North can move to relax.
Speaking at Sky’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday, he said: “We will be seeing some nuanced changes throughout that time and look forward to hearing what the Prime Minister has to say today.
“But I think, in terms of the public in Northern Ireland, it is important that we continue to protect them and ensure that this virus does not start to spread again in the community in a way that could cause harm to the community.”
Ms Foster said the blockade could be eased in different regions, as the transmission rate in Northern Ireland is higher than in other parts of the UK.
“Sage, and indeed our own medical director, recognize that there are different transmission rates across the UK,” he said.
“There are differences in the UK, regional differences; I think the Prime Minister recognizes those regional differences and as a result he can see slight differences across the UK. “
When asked if it is a good idea that the blockade can be reapplied to different regions if necessary, he said that it is important for Northern Ireland to move in cohesion with the rest of the UK.
“It is important that we do the right thing in our UK region to move forward. That is why we came up with our road plan early next week. It will establish how we can gradually go back to what will be a different normality. “
Four other Covid-19 deaths were reported in Northern Ireland on Saturday, the Health Department said, bringing the total deaths to 430. An additional 56 positive cases were also diagnosed, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 4,078. – PA
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