Arlene Foster and Michelle O’Neill join emergency Christmas Covid-19 restrictions call with Michael Gove

NI infections are 38% greater than they were this time last week

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Subscribe              Dec 15, 2020           Dear reader The possibility of fresh coronavirus lockdown restrictions being imposed in Northern Ireland is looming ever larger.  It was revealed on Tuesday that Robin Swann, the health minister, is to bring forward a paper to the Stormont Executive on Thursday which will contain recommendations made by the Province's chief medical officer and chief scientific adviser. Mr Swann's move comes after fresh warnings about the spread of Covid-19 have been made by medical professionals in recent days.  The news comes as devolved leaders around the UK prepare to take part in a call with Cabinet Minister Michael Gove this evening, with speculation mounting that the government might be poised to scrap planned relaxation of the rules around household mixing at Christmas. Any changes will be a bitter blow to millions who had plannedon seeing their loved ones over the festive period.  In a day of sombre news related to the pandemic, it was also confirmed that Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots tested positive for coronavirus during his period in hospital for a ruptured appendix. The DUP minister has not shown any symptoms but is self-isolating.  Meanwhile, Mr Swann has revealed the latest on the Covid-19 vaccination programme.Vaccination teams have already been to up to 54 care homes across all five healthcare trust areas in Northern Ireland. 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.           Arlene Foster and Michelle O'Neill to join emergency Christmas Covid-19 restrictions call with Michael Gove           The First Minister, Arlene Foster, and deputy First Minister, Michelle O'Neill, will take part in an emergency call concerning a possible need to review the relaxation of restrictions for Christmas.                 NI infections are 38% greater than they were this time last week - six additional Covid-19 deaths recorded in 24 hours   The number of individuals testing positive for Covid-19 in Northern Ireland has increased by almost 40 per cent in the last seven days, the latest data from the Department of Health (DoH) has confirmed.           Stop 'tinkering' with circuit-breakers and return to full lockdown, top doctor urges NI Executive amid warning of patients going without 'proper' treatment due to coronavirus pressures   A top Northern Ireland doctor has said a return to a "full, unambiguous" lockdown is the only way to get a "consistent way out" of the coronavirus crisis facing the health service.           DUP's Edwin Poots self-isolating after positive Covid test   Northern Ireland's Agriculture and Environment Minister Edwin Poots has tested positive for Covid-19, the DUP has confirmed.           Executive to discuss further restrictions on Thursday: Health Minister Robin Swann to submit paper setting out officials' advice   Stormont ministers are set to discuss further coronavirus restrictions on Thursday, it has emerged.           More than 10,000 redundancies in NI since start of COVID-19 pandemic in March   More than 10,000 redundancies have been proposed by Northern Ireland firms since March, according to official statistics from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA).           COVID-19 restrictions blamed for closure of three NI Menarys stores   Three Menarys Tempest stores in NI are due to close in the New Year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.                 View more news

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