[ad_1]
The decentralized government of Northern Ireland is turning the COVID-19 ‘stay at home’ message into law, the prime minister announced.
The country is already in the second week of a six-week lockdown in which non-essential retail stores, as well as pubs, bars and restaurants, as well as take-out services are closed, and there is a curfew. at 8 pm for homes and businesses.
But Arlene Foster said the growing number of cases and the repeated reports of large social gatherings meant the message had to be tougher.
He said that the blockade of Northern Ireland had so far not been enforceable, but that it would now become law.
Northern Ireland hospitals are operating beyond capacity
“We will put that ‘stay at home’ message back in regulation, in law again.
“The message will be to stay home unless you have a reason to leave home and those reasons will become law.
“We believe it is necessary given the huge increase in cases here in Northern Ireland.”
Ms. Foster has not ruled out keeping schools closed following an increase in the number of coronavirus infections.
He said that on Tuesday the Executive will discuss the question of whether the schools will reopen.
Ms. Foster said the goal had been “to keep schools open for as long as possible” but would take “whatever action is necessary based on the medical evidence before us.”
In his television address Monday night, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that people in England will once again be asked to Stay at home.
Scottish Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced that Scotland go into lockdown for the rest of January, with the legal requirement to stay home and schools closed for most students until February.
Schools and universities in Wales will be closed until at least 18 January.
Ms Foster said that Stormont ministers had “very difficult decisions to make” and described the combination of Northern Ireland’s rise COVID-19 infections and strong pressure on hospitals as “very serious situation”.
