LISTEN: New circuit breaker lockdown begins in Northern Ireland

By Q Radio News

Northern ireland entered a new two week circuit breaker at one minute past midnight this morning.

All non essential retail and hospitality will be forced to close, other than takeaways.

People are being urged to stay at home where at all possible, only going out when essential.

First Minister Arlene Foster outlined how this lockdown differs from the restrictions in force at the start of the pandemic. 

She added the next two weeks were critical and a huge effort was needed to keep moving in the right direction.

“This is just for a short while longer.

(Shoppers in Belfast City Centre yesterday before the new rules came into force)

It is important to have hope and it is important that we push a little harder over the course of the next couple of weeks.”

She noted police had issued 480 fixed penalty notices, most to partygoers in private households, noting a £200 fine produced an expensive night-out.

A new interim head of the Civil Service will be appointed soon to lead the vaccine taskforce.

Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill said the Stormont Executive would meet on Tuesday to discuss Christmas.

That includes the place of nursing homes and a definition of households for meeting-up purposes.

It has been reported that Tanaiste Leo Varadkar had advised against travel from the Republic of Ireland to Northern Ireland over Christmas.

He has publicly clarified that the Irish government is not planning to ban cross-border travel despite the fact that infection rates are higher in Northern Ireland.

Mrs Foster said: “It is really regrettable that the Tanaiste should make those sorts of comments.”

She referred to Ireland’s determination to keep the border open following Brexit.

“It appears that the border has made a reappearance.”

She added: “We want to see good co-operation across the whole of the British Isles so family can be together in an appropriate way over the holiday period.”

Ms O’Neill criticised the Fine Gael leader.

“He has demonstrated that he is completely out of touch with the reality of life on this island.

“We can do more and we can be more joined up. I would like to see a lot more communication.”