LATEST: Parts of NI placed under new covid-19 restrictions

by Q Radio News

The Stormont Executive has announced new covid-19 restrictions are being introduced in some parts of Northern Ireland. 

The new rules will affect people in Ballymena, those who live in the Belfast council area and addresses with BT43, BT28 and BT29. 

Those postcodes take in parts of Glenavy, Lisburn and Crumlin. 

First Minister Arlene Foster said, “There are areas where the spread is of particular concern, where cases are double or treble the average rate for the province.”

The latest restrictions mean there will be “no mixing of households in private dwellings”.

Those with child care and other caring responsibilities will be exempt.

Meanwhile, no more than six people from two households can meet in gardens.

Mrs Foster added: “What we are proposing today is a proportionate and measured approach to specific (circumstances) existing currently in identified areas.”

She urged people to take action now.

“Protect yourselves and protect others now.”

The measures will be in place for at least the next two weeks.

BREAKING: Limited Covid-19 restrictions are to come into force next week in:

▶️Belfast City Council area
▶️BT28,29
▶️Ballymena
▶️BT43

It follows a meeting of the Executive at Stormont this afternoon where the Health Minister presented the recommendations to ministers.

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) September 10, 2020

Meanwhile, on the new coronavirus limitations for some areas, Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said, “They are necessary and proportionate in the context of the public health crisis that is upon us.”

She warned others living outside the restricted postcodes that they were not invincible to the threat.

Arlene Foster said the spread of Covid-19 was happening in households and affecting more older people.

“It is a grave situation but we also need to ensure that our economy continues to flourish.”

Ministers have also agreed, from September 21 pubs which do not serve food will be able to open. 

Meanwhile, soft play areas will be able to reopen in Northern Ireland on September 14.

Bars that do not serve food have been given a provisional re-opening date of 21st September.

Soft-play areas will be able to open from 14th September. https://t.co/AG4GUnmRUA

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) September 10, 2020

Today's covid-19 press conference also represented the first time First Minister, Arlene Foster and Deputy First, Minister Michelle O'Neill appeared at the podium at Stormont together for the first time since June. 

It follows the fallout over the funeral of veteran republican Bobby Storey.

Earlier today, Sinn Fein's vice-president Michelle O'Neill said she accepted public health messaging around Coronavirus was undermined by her attendance at Mr Storey's funeral. 

Mrs O'Neill said, “I am glad we are standing here on this platform today at a crucial time in the fight-back against Covid-19.

“We need to chart our way through what is going to be a very difficult winter.”

Mrs Foster said: “We are putting in limited interventions to try to halt the creep of Covid-19.

“We are trying to halt that and want the public to work with us.

“That is why I am asking people to work with us and try to halt that.”