| | Dear reader
Monday brought another day of fresh coronavirus restrictions for Northern Ireland.
In response to the recent spike in Covid-19 cases, the Stormont Executive announced that restrictions introduced previously for certain postcode areas are to be extended to the whole of the Province from Tuesday at 6pm.
There will be no mixing of two households indoors except for single-person household bubbles and certain other exemptions. No more than six people from two households can meet in private gardens.
First minister Arlene Foster denied that the restrictions were a return to full lockdown, warning that the mixing of households indoors was one of the best opportunities for the virus to spread.
The news came after the Department of Health confirmed that two more people with Covid-19 died over the weekend. In addition 125 people tested positive for the virus over the last 24 hours.
In total, 1,014 positive tests for coronavirus have been recorded over the last week while five people with the virus are fighting for their lives in intensive care wards.
The continued rise in cases came against the backdrop of the controversy surrounding the apparent flouting of social distancing rules at weekend GAA matches, principally the Tyrone County final in Omagh.
Arlene Foster took to Twitter to convey her concerns at the scenes, saying she was “deeply concerned”. The first minister called on Ulster GAA to take action with the governing body later admitting that on-pitch celebrations had breached GAA and public health protocols.
Enjoy your evening Alistair Bushe
Editor
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