Alex Kane: It’s no fun, but caution is still the right approach

NI 'second wave' fears after spike in new infections

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News   What's On   Lifestyle              Aug 3, 2020           Dear reader The debate over the wearing of masks in our shops was given fresh impetus on Monday, with the Health Minister Robin Swann declaring that it could become mandatory in Northern Ireland earlier than first thought.  In a letter to the NIE revealed by the BBC, Mr Swann hints that the wearing of masks might become mandatory as early as the end of next week. The issue continues to polarise opinion with East Antrim DUP MP Sammy Wilson and some retailers warning that such a move would put off potential shoppers.  Mr Swann's fresh push on mandatory masks comes after Northern Ireland experienced its most significant rise in new Covid-19 cases in some time. The Department of Health revealed on Monday that 40 new cases had been confirmed over the weekend.  The news comes as the Republic of Ireland continues to experience a recent spike, with almost 100 new cases of Covid-19 recorded over the weekend alone.  Another mobile testing centre for Covid-19 has opened in Carrickfergus. The centre opened in the grounds of Carrickfergus Rugby Club. It is intended for the centre to be operational for a week. Stay safe 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.           NI 'second wave' fears after spike in new infections           There are concerns about the spike in the number of COVID-19 cases in Northern Ireland after 40 new infections were identified over the weekend.                 Irish government to introduce random coronavirus testing at airports   The Irish Minister for Health has said the Dublin government is to introduce random testing for coronavirus at airports.           Alex Kane: It's no fun, but caution is still the right approach in dealing with Covid-19   Sammy Wilson may be taking some sort of stand on the wearing of masks, but having his mouth full of ice-cream when he's wandering around will probably limit the spread of anything he may have.           Covid-19 testing centre opens in Co Antrim town   A mobile Covid-19 testing centre has been established in Carrickfergus.           Number of fillings in NI plunges as dentists issue stark warning   The number of dental filling procedures during lockdown plunged by 144,000 in Northern Ireland, NHS statistics showed.           Deli owner hopes to get dream back on track   Cafe owner Monika Rawson said she is scared but excited about the Eat Out to Help Out scheme that begins today.           Boris Johnson may ask elderly to shield again as he bids to avoid another national lockdown   Boris Johnson has ordered officials to work-up a plan for avoiding a second national lockdown, according to reports.           Cuts are only part of the reason the NHS faces such challenges   A report today finds that a decade of cuts left the NHS and other public services "weakened" before the Covid-19 pandemic.                 View more on Coronavirus

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