Health Minister Robin Swann announces new restrictions on people allowed to meet indoors
It as a result of an increase in the number of positive cases across the North of Ireland over the past week or so.
Two further positive cases were reported in the last 24 hours in the Derry City and Strabane District Council are where its death toll remains at 29.
The new restrictions are:
A limit on outdoor gatherings – will be reduced from 30 people to 15.
A limit on indoor gatherings in a private dwelling – reduced from 10 people to six people (from 2 households).
Mr Swann has said that the rate of transmission in the North of Ireland – the R number – is “definitely above one”.
The figure reflects the number of people that each person with Covid-19 infects, and is used as a measure of the spread of the disease.
Mr Swann told Thursday’s briefing R was likely to be around 1.3.
“Many of us will, by now, understand the implications of that,” he said.
“But I need to address what I believe to be a growing problem of some people dismissing the figures and becoming increasingly flippant in regards to the impact of this virus.”
Speaking at the news conference, Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride said it is important that a “clear consistent message goes out to every citizen in Northern Ireland”.
“This pandemic is not over, this pandemic is far from over and that is the central fact that must continue to guide all of our actions and behaviours and adherence to the guidance.
“That is why we can’t return to the normality that we all took for granted at the beginning of this year, because we owe it to each other and we owe it particularly to the most vulnerable members of our community.
“That is why these ongoing restrictions must sadly and unfortunately must remain a part of our ordinary lives for the greater good.”
The Chief Medical Officer has said the seven-day rolling average is now at “40 per day” which is a ten-fold increase from the end of June.
North’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride warns that “we are not out of pandemic”
“That means the number of new cases, number of hospital admissions and potentially the number of deaths will increase.”
At this afternoon’s briefing, Minister Swann also said the PSNI will be targeting enforcement action against areas that have seen spikes in COVID-19 cases.
He said in most instances “enforcement is not needed” and “normally should be the last resort”.
“A small minority of people are flouting the regulations and putting themselves and others at risk,” he said.
“The PSNI has assured me that it is taking and will continue to take enforcement action where necessary.
“I can confirm that focused PSNI enforcement action will be focused at these hotspot areas, in liaison with public health authorities and as part of a coordinated approach.”
Dr McBride also told today’s news conference: “Another widespread application of restrictions in Northern Ireland is not inevitable.
“The virus does not have a plan, but the virus will survive and spread because of the things we do and don’t do.
“I want to avoid it because I know the impact it will have on our society, on our economy and on the health and wellbeing of all of us.”
Dr McBride said that NI can avoid a further imposing of restrictions “by looking out for and looking after each other”.
“The pandemic is not over, but it will be some day and we will get through it together.”
The public is urged to maintain a social distance as much as possible of two metres, wash hands regularly and as often as possible and wear face coverings in shops and other indoor settings to prevent the spread of the virus.
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