Derry Daily
  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
Saturday 16°CSunday 15°C

Derry Daily Derry Daily Derry Daily

  • News
  • Entertainment
  • Sport
  • Features
  • Courts
  • Business
  • Health
  • Politics
  • Jobs
BusinessCoronavirusDerry CityHealthHospitalityNews

COVID-19: Stormont Ministers to discuss restrictions

written by cassoscoop December 22, 2021
ShareTweet

Executive to meet to discuss restrictions over spread of Omicron variant

STORMONT ministers will meet later to discuss possibly reintroducting COVID-19 restrictions in the North of Ireland.

Last week, health officials warned that a “significant intervention” could be needed after Christmas.

The vaccination and booster programme have been stepped up in a bid to tackle a rise in cases of the Omicron variant.

Health Minister Robin Swann has said the more people that come forward for vaccination “the less chance there is of severe restrictions”.

Speaking at the opening of the mass vaccination centre at the Titanic Exhibition Centre (TEC) in Belfast on Tuesday, Robin Swann said up to two thirds of Covid-19 patients in hospital aged under-50 are unvaccinated.

While he would not pre-empt any decisions on restrictions, Mr Swann said there would be “additional asks” made of the public following the executive meeting.

“We have to look at pressures on our health service, on our hospital system, but also the pressures on other key infrastructure as well.

“We’ll not boost our way simply out of the Omicron and the threat of what is actually in front of us at this minute in time,” he said.

Chief medical officer Sir Michael McBride has previously said that the variant is likely to become the dominant strain in the North of Ireland in January.

Ministers have about £190 million to work with in terms of additional financial support.

The Department of Finance has developed proposals that ministers will be asked to consider, such as additional business grants and extra help for sectors like close-contact services, which may be affected by a reduction in footfall due to the spread of cases.

In England, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he could not rule out curbs on activity after Christmas Day.

Mr Johnson said people can go ahead with their Christmas plans but advised them to be cautious and appealed for everyone to avail of a booster vaccination.

Rules regarding self-isolation have changed in England, with the isolation period dropping from 10 days to seven.

However, the Department of Health in Northern Ireland said there was no change in the isolation requirements here, with the situation to be “kept under review”.

Scotland has also announced further restrictions, with Hogmanay events cancelled in Edinburgh and a limit of 500 spectators brought in for football matches.

Social distancing of at least 1m and table service will be reintroduced from 27 December.

In Wales, spectators have been banned from all indoor, outdoor, professional and community sports events from 26 December.

Its cabinet is due to meet on Wednesday afternoon to discuss the possibility of further mitigating measures

COVID-19: Stormont Ministers to discuss restrictions was last modified: December 22nd, 2021 by cassoscoop

Tags:
BORIS JOHNSONBRITISH PRIME MINISTERbusiness grantsChristmas Dayclose contact servicesCOVID-19COVID-19: Stormont Ministers to discuss restrictionsDEPARTMENT OF FINANCEHealth Minister Robin SwannOmicronsocial distancing£190 million
ShareTweet
cassoscoop

LEAVE A COMMENT

You may also like

Covid-19: North’s self-isolation guidance reduced to five...

9 hours ago

RIA invited to Derry to share expertise...

9 hours ago

Bohs 2-3 City: Back-to-back wins for Derry

20 hours ago

Creggan Day Centre clients celebrate ‘Getting back...

1 day ago

Funding support now available for Good Relations...

1 day ago

Sperrins and Killeter Walking Festival returns

1 day ago

Seenoi-Barr welcomes council’s backing for Protocol

1 day ago

‘Energy price rises will leave families in...

1 day ago

NW rail expansion: Derry councillors oppose housing...

1 day ago

City manager: We need to build on...

1 day ago

Keep in touch

Facebook Twitter Email

Features

  • Competition! Win tickets to Northern Ireland v England Women’s Euro 2022 match

    June 17, 2022
  • Glenapp Castle: Only a few miles from home but a million miles away

    December 20, 2021
  • DD Travel Feature: The Unsung Shores of Portugal

    November 12, 2021
  • Derry meeting led young Donegal woman to high profile murder

    July 16, 2021
  • DD Travel: Living like a local in Lixouri

    December 17, 2020

Courts

  • ‘Inquest verdict vindication of family’s fight for truth’

    June 29, 2022
  • Unarmed Derry mother was shot by soldier in ‘unjustified’ circumstances

    June 29, 2022
  • Man charged with dangerous driving after car crash

    June 14, 2022
  • Derry couple’s romantic encounter disturbed by Gardai during lockdown

    June 13, 2022
  • Four men charged over commercial burglaries

    June 12, 2022

Donegal Daily

  • Urgent appeal for housing for locals in south west Donegal

    5 hours ago
  • Well-known Donegal seaside restaurant hits the market

    1 day ago
  • Former boxer escapes prison after paying €7,650 compo to assault victim

    1 day ago

Read More

  • News
  • Sport
  • Courts
  • Jobs
  • Features
  • Business
  • Politics

Information

  • Contact Us
  • About
  • Advertise WIth Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms & Conditions
Derry Daily

© 2022 Derry Daily. All rights reserved.


Back To Top

Posting....