Northern Ireland to follow UK coronavirus red list on countries

You are viewing content from Q Tyrone and Fermanagh 101.2. Would you like to make this your preferred location?

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.

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.

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.”

Join the Thank Q Club

Sign up for the Thank Q Club and receive exclusive offers, fun competitions and amazing prizes - it's quick and easy to do!

Sign Up Log In

Listen on the go

Download the Q Radio app to keep listening, wherever you are! It's available on Apple and Android devices.

Download from the App Store Download from Google Play