BELFAST (Reuters) – Northern Ireland to impose toughest COVID-19 restrictions on UK since early summer, closing schools for two weeks and closing restaurants for four, Prime Minister Arlene Foster said Wednesday
The British-ruled region has emerged as one of the biggest COVID-19 hotspots in Europe in recent weeks Its Minister of Health described the situation last Friday as increasingly serious by the hour
The health department on Wednesday reported a record number of daily cases with 1,217 new infections bringing the number of cases per 100,000 people in the past seven days to 356 Four other deaths have also been announced
« We are not taking this step lightly COVID transmission rates must be denied or we will be in a very difficult situation very soon, » Foster told the regional parliament
« We are very determined that this intervention be limited in time. They will not continue beyond the four weeks »
The closure will affect the entire hospitality sector, with the exception of take-out and delivery services, and will double the duration of the October school break from one week to two
As part of the measures, retail will remain open, but “close contact services” such as hairdressers and beauticians will be closed
People will be advised to avoid unnecessary travel and work from home, while universities will be encouraged to teach remotely where possible
The UK as a whole has reported a record number of daily infections and the highest number of deaths since the start of summer
Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday introduced a new tiered restriction system for England, with Liverpool and the surrounding region of Merseyside at the highest level
The Irish government will consider later on Wednesday whether to respond to the new measures and impose additional restrictions near the open border of Northern Ireland, where infection levels are also very high, said Deputy Prime Minister Leo Varadkar
Ireland has put tighter restrictions in place since last week, with all indoor dining and non-essential travel banned, but schools are still open Varadkar said more measures may be needed
Reporting by Amanda Ferguson; additional reports and writings by Conor Humphries; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Giles Elgood
All quotes have been delayed by at least 15 minutes See here for a full list of exchanges and delays
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News from the world – GB – L ‘ Northern Ireland to close restaurants, suspend school in strict UK lockdown
