Executive to consider new restrictions to help arrest spread of virus

Dear reader

Thursday promises to be a crucial day that will shape Northern Ireland’s immediate future in relation to coronavirus and possible fresh restrictions being introduced.

The latest figures released on Wednesday show that 294 people have tested positive for Covid-19 over the last seven days, with 34 positive tests recorded in the previous 24 hours.

The increases have led to health minister Robin Swann and chief medical officer Dr Michael McBride warning about the possible return of lockdown measures.

The issue is to be discussed by the Stormont Executive on Thursday with several options believed to be on the table, including local lockdowns or more general restrictions for the whole of Northern Ireland including limiting the number of people who can meet indoors. Sport may also be affected, with crowds once again banned from watching sport in the Republic.

Any local lockdown could affect the Mid and East Antrim area, where cases have been rising more quickly than other parts of the Province. However, such measures would likely be opposed by businesses who have already been badly hit by the long lockdown during the spring.

At a national level, airport testing moved a step closer on Wednesday with Heathrow Airport announcing that it wants to offer coronavirus tests for arriving passengers. This would be an alternative to forcing people to quarantine for 14 days after travelling back from abroad.

Alistair Bushe,

Editor

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