Northern Ireland to follow UK coronavirus red list on countries

By Q Radio News

Northern Ireland is set to adopt the UK’s coronavirus red list of countries, First Minister Arlene Foster said.

Brazil and South Africa are on the current red list of countries from which entry to the UK is banned.

The Stormont Executive heard that work is ongoing on hotel quarantine plans for travellers arriving from abroad.

There are currently no international flights landing in Northern Ireland.

The Executive has also agreed to the limited reopening of SureStart and youth services as well as the extension of the business support scheme for close contact businesses and support for large tourism and hospitality businesses while restrictions remain in place.

The Executive has agreed the limited re-opening of youth services across NI.

The First Minister also confirmed travellers coming from UK ‘red list’ countries will be required to isolate in hotels for 10 days - work is ongoing.

The Business Support Scheme will also extended. pic.twitter.com/pQrhCFeKho

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) March 25, 2021

Mrs Foster welcomed “improvements across all indicators”, in terms of Covid-19.

The R-rate for cases of the virus is currently estimated at between 0.75 and 0.95.

Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill welcomed a second consecutive day of no further coronavirus deaths as a “welcome sign we are continuing to move in the right direction”.

She said a year on from the first restrictions to stem the spread of coronavirus, political leaders have been challenged like never before, stressing the measures are not something which politicians take lightly.

The Deputy First Minister says hotel quarantine bookings will be required before arrival in NI.

Michelle O’Neill says the issue will be kept under review and promised flexibility to allow a broader approach to international travel should the need arise. pic.twitter.com/lAMVqeRPMa

— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) March 25, 2021

Ms O’Neill said international travel was discussed in some detail by the Executive.

“This is a fundamental concern for us all as we seek to manage the risks that are arising from the new variants and align with the scientific and medical advice, we have agreed the introduction of managed isolation and hotel accommodation on return from red list countries for a period of 10 days to be pre-booked before arrival here,” she said.

“This will be kept under review and our arrangements for managed hotel isolation will be flexible to enable a broader approach on international travel to be put in place should the need arise.”