Row over social distancing at wedding reception + Ulster Rugby suspends training

Ulster have suspended training after an outbreak of Covid-19 within their academy squad.

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News   What's On   Lifestyle              Aug 27, 2020           Dear reader   We have already heard this week about the economic impact of the coronavirus impact on Northern Ireland with 100,000 people expected to be out of work by the end of the year.    On Thursday, the latest waiting list figures released by the Department of Health showed the extent of the pressure on other parts of the health service that were effectively halted because of the pandemic. It is staggering that over 90 per cent of people here are waiting longer than the recommended time to see a consultant.    Robin Swann, the health minister, admitted that because of the need to focus on the virus there had been a "virtual lockdown of normal health and social care services".   The subject of social distancing and following coronavirus guidelines continues to be a big discussion point. A row has broken out over video footage showing wedding goers at a Ballynahnich venue apparently flouting regulations.    A DUP MLA laid some of the blame at the foot of Sinn Fein representatives who themselves broke the guidelines at the Bobby Storey funeral earlier this summer.    The latest published Covid-19 statistics revealed that one more person with Covid-19 in Northern Ireland has died, while 69 new cases have been reported to the Department of Health.    In the past seven days there have been 418 new cases of Covid-19 here.     Take care   Alistair Bushe, Editor   Want total access to all of our online content? You can subscribe to our website, newsletter.co.uk for just £1 a month for 3 months - and it couldn't be easier. Signing up will get you faster-loading articles, fewer adverts and access to exclusive content and events when we run them. To learn more, visit our Subscriptions page here.           Ulster Rugby suspends training following coronavirus outbreak           Ulster have suspended training after an outbreak of Covid-19 within their academy squad.                 Royal Black leader: It will be highly unusual not to have Black Saturday   The leader of the Royal Black Institution has praised healthcare staff ahead of what would have been the biggest day in the organisation's year.           Montalto wedding reception row: FULL STATEMENT from the venue over alleged Covid guideline breaches   The Montalto Estate has issued a statement saying that these are still "early days" of easing out of the lockdown and that "lessons will be learnt", after footage emerged of people dancing and congregating at a wedding reception at the venue.           Economy Minister Dodds announces apprenticeship recovery package plan   Economy Minister, Diane Dodds, has today announced plans for an apprenticeship recovery package for Northern Ireland.           One death and 69 new cases of coronavirus reported in NI   There has been a new death due to coronavirus reported by the Department of Health at Stormont.                 View more on Coronavirus

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