Coronavirus: Northern Ireland health officials propose six-week lockdown
17 December 2020 Image copyright PA Media Image caption The head of Hospitality Ulster has said he would prefer a full lockdown over partial restrictions
Health officials have proposed a six-week lockdown across NI in a bid to curb the spread of the virus, BBC News NI understands.
It is believed a review of the measures would take place after four weeks.
Executive ministers are meeting to discuss the plan, brought by Health Minister Robin Swann.
It proposes the closure of non-essential retail after Christmas Eve, and hospitality only allowed to offer takeaway services.
Mr Martin said the number of coronavirus cases in Northern Ireland is “very worrying and concerning”.
He said the positivity rate in Northern Ireland is about 9%.
Mr Martin told the Dail that Government officials will meet with the National Public Health Emergency Team (Nphet) weekly to keep an eye on Northern Ireland’s Covid-19 figures.
On Wednesday, the Department of Health in Northern Ireland reported another 510 new cases of the virus.
There are increasing concerns around the Covid situation in NI
The government north and south need to work together to protect the island and in particular the boarder counties that have alarming rates of Covid 19 pic.twitter.com/lPj469QqXn The Labour Party (@labour) December 16, 2020
The COVID-19 vaccine could be administered here just after Christmas, as ‘Ireland’s exit from the pandemic’ begins.
Approval from the European Medicines Agency may now be just seven days away, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has revealed.
And a week later, the roll-out could begin.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has revealed that approval from the European Medicines Agency may now be just seven days away. Pic: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie
Mr Donnelly said yesterday that a ‘dark’ and ‘very difficult’ year is now ending with ‘hope and light’.
However, with 329 new cases detected yesterday and eight more deaths, there are concerns that a third wave, after the Christmas festivities, could hamper the roll-out.
Covid-19: Irish ambulances to help out in Northern Ireland
17 December 2020 Image copyright Pacemaker Image caption On Tuesday night, doctors treated patients in ambulances with 17 vehicles outside the hospital at one point
Paramedics from the Republic of Ireland s National Ambulance Service (NAS) will be working in Northern Ireland this weekend.
It comes amid severe Covid-19 related pressures on the health service in NI.
It is not the first time NAS ambulances have helped out in NI, they assisted during the first wave of the pandemic and also in 2019.
Irish Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said ambulance crews from the Republic of Ireland will provide support to the Northern Ireland Ambulance service (NIAS) over the weekend due to the pressures being experienced .
The top 10 coronavirus hotspots in Northern Ireland ahead of Christmas
Ballymena has the highest infection rate in Northern Ireland at over 500 per 100,000 people
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Thank you for subscribingWe have more newslettersShow meSee ourprivacy notice Ballymena has the highest Covid-19 infection rate in Northern Ireland coming into the week before Christmas.
As of Monday, the infection rate in the BT42 post code which covers part of the town and surrounding area is 531.2 per 100,000 people.