LISTEN: Criticism of those flouting COVID-19 lockdown rules

By Q Radio News and PA.

There has been widespread condemnation of those flouting lockdown rules.

On Monday, police estimated crowds of 1,000 people enjoyed the good weather on beaches in Crawfordsburn and Helen's Bay in Co Down.

The deputy chairperson of Stormont's Health Committee, Pam Cameron, said the number of coronavirus deaths and new positive tests are now at extremely low levels.

She expressed dismay at large gatherings which did not adhere to social distancing.

DUP junior minister at the Executive Office, Gordon Lyons, told the Assembly: "They are disturbing local residents.

Gordon Lyons

"They are being abusive to others and they are getting into fights. This is unacceptable."

Stormont's chief scientific officer, Professor Ian Young, has pointed out that if hotels reopen as planned by July 20 then people could be able to meet relatives indoors as well.

A Department of Health statement said: "Decisions on the easing of restrictions will be taken when the conditions and the time is right to do so."

Environment Minister Edwin Poots said he was grateful to those processing waste for their vital work.

Meanwhile, in the Northern Ireland Assembly on Tuesday, TUV leader Jim Allister criticised the "secrecy" around the R number which indicates how quickly coronavirus is spreading.

He urged the Executive Office to publish graphs showing the movement of the value.

Easing of social distancing rules has been described as dependent on the R number remaining under one.

Sinn Fein junior minister at the Executive Office Declan Kearney responded to Mr Allister's comments.

He described the R number as an "incredibly volatile measurement" which "changes from day to day".

"The last information which I received in relation to the R factor indicated that it was in or about 0.9, which is moving very dangerously towards one, and when we hit that particular point then we can see an escalation and increased pressure being placed on hospital capacity and ICUs," he said.