Good afternoon,

Northern Ireland’s Covid-19 statistics in relation to deaths and new cases have been very much on a downward trend for weeks now, but Tuesday brought news of a possible spike in cases in a part of County Down. 

It has emerged that a number of people from the Crossgar and Ballynahinch area have developed coronavirus symptoms.

According to the BBC, up to 16 people could be affected, and in response a care home in Crossgar has postponed plans to reopen for visitors while a cafe in the town says it is closing for a few weeks.   

The news came as no deaths related to Covid-19 were announced by the Department of Health, with five new cases detected in the previous 24 hours. 

Meanwhile, Belfast International Airport launched a stinging criticism of the Stormont Executive. 

Graham Keddie, the airport’s managing director, hit out after the UK government announced that anyone arriving in England from most European countries, and many farther east, would no longer have to self-isolate for 14 days. 

Mr Keddie criticised the ‘silence’ from the Executive over the matter and said the lack of a similar scheme applicable to Northern Ireland must be addressed as a matter of urgency. If there is no quick resolution, Mr Keddie warned that hundreds of jobs will be lost. 

Stay safe,

Alistair Bushe, Editor

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