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Fines ranging from £ 60 to £ 1,000 could be issued for violations of coronavirus regulations in areas where local measures have been imposed, according to Health Minister Robin Swann.
More details are expected this week on the restrictions affecting Belfast, Ballymena and parts of Glenavy, Lisburn and Crumlin.
Swann said the regulations were “very intense work.”
He said they had to be “waterproof” in case law enforcement was necessary.
Speaking to BBC News NI’s Evening Extra program on Monday, the minister added that the number of cases has increased due to “unregulated, unmanaged” gatherings such as dinner parties or “someone coming into your home for a cup of coffee. “.
The measures announced Thursday mean that people cannot visit other people in their homes in these areas and no more than six people from two households will be able to gather in a private garden.
Those living in restricted areas are advised not to travel outside of them unless necessary.
The measures will be in effect for at least two weeks.
Exemptions
There are some exemptions, including:
- Those in a social bubble with another home
- Those with caregiving responsibilities, including childcare
- Essential maintenance
- Supported living arrangements
- Visits required for legal or medical reasons
- Marriage or civil partnerships where a person has a terminal illness
Swann said most of the infections “are actually occurring in household transfers and also in community transfers.”
“What we are trying to do with these regulations is to target the places where we are seeing the spread of Covid.”
The minister also told BBC News NI that his department’s Chief Scientific Advisor, Professor Ian Young, has been in contact with universities about the students’ return.
He called on students to “be responsible … because what we don’t want to see is someone going into those areas, potentially contracting Covid-19, and then coming home for the weekend.”
On Monday, the Northern Ireland Department of Health reported two new coronavirus-related deaths.
That means the death toll from the virus in Northern Ireland now stands at 570.
The latest figures on the department’s dashboard show 109 new confirmed positive cases of the virus in the past 24 hours, bringing that total to 8,423.
The department’s daily figures are made up mostly of deaths in hospitals and where a patient had previously tested positive for the virus.
The largest increase in coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours has occurred in the Belfast city hall area
Some doctors in Northern Ireland said they believe a second wave of Covid-19 is “likely” to occur in the next six months, according to a survey.
The survey, which was conducted by the British Medical Association (BMA), found that 80% of 500 GPs and hospital consultants surveyed believe that a second wave is “likely” or “very likely” to occur.
Some respondents also raised concerns about the ability to handle the pandemic along with the resumption of routine care for patients.
Londonderry GP’s Dr Tom Black said the restrictions introduced in Ballymena and Belfast can help limit the spread of Covid-19
Speaking to BBC Radio Foyle, Dr Tom Black, president of the BMA in Northern Ireland, said he was concerned about “a second increase in the coming months”.
“There are concerns about illness and staff burnout, there are concerns about maintaining services during the winter pressures and putting in place a flu vaccination program.
“There are many pressures all at the same time.”
However, Dr. Black believes that restrictions introduced in areas with high case rates on Monday could help mitigate some of these problems.
“It is time to close the hatches and be careful,” he added.
Swann said the possibility of a second NI-wide lockdown is “something we still have to consider,” however, “I’d rather we don’t get to the point where it’s necessary.”
Although the number of positive cases is increasing, even in the number of people over 60, he added that “we are not seeing that this translates into hospital admissions.”
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‘False claims’
Meanwhile, DUP whip chief Sammy Wilson claimed earlier Monday that Swann and others had pushed for more extensive lockdown restrictions.
Wilson told the BBC’s Good Morning Ulster program: “If the technocrats in the Department of Health and some of the executive ministers had their way, these restrictions would be much more severe and many companies would be experiencing much greater difficulties as a result. from them “.
The East Antrim MP added: “Other ministers wanted much more general restrictions and our party opposed them, and rightly so.”
The health minister told BBC News NI: “There is nothing we suggest that has been rejected or challenged.”
He also said he would not comment on Wilson’s “false” claims.
Justice Minister Naomi Long said those who comment on the new measures should “try to be more precise in the future.”
Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon said it is “deeply regrettable that in the midst of a public health crisis energy is being spent on misleading reporting.”
