Dear reader

The economic danger of another total lockdown in Northern Ireland has been spelt out in clear terms by a DUP member of the Stormont Executive. 

Diane Dodds, the economy minister, warned on Wednesday morning that a return to lockdown would destroy the “small shoots of recovery” that have been experienced here in recent months. She laid out in clear terms that many businesses in the Province remain in a “perilous state”.

Mrs Dodds’ comments follow those of Sammy Wilson on Tuesday, with the East Antrim MP having criticised the ‘fear mongering’ of the government’s coronavirus strategy. 

The intervention of Mrs Dodds comes a day after the first minister Arlene Foster opened up the possibility of a full lockdown returning on Tuesday. She spoke out as hospitality groups here warned the Executive against introducing a 10pm curfew similar to that introduced by Boris Johnson in England. 

The latest Department of Health statistics revealed that there have been no new coronavirus related deaths in Northern Ireland over the last 24 hours. 

However there has been another significant rise in new cases here, with 220 positive Covid-19 cases having been reported in the last 24 hours. 

Enjoy your evening

Alistair Bushe
Editor

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