NI may need to close border with the south over vaccine differential, Arlene Foster suggests

Zero additional deaths and 65 new infections in last 24 hours

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Subscribe              Mar 29, 2021           Good afternoon Welcome to your Coronavirus updates from the team at the News Letter: You can help us to continue providing quality fact checked journalism by taking out a subscription. With a digital subscription you can read our online digital edition via our eReader on your desktop or mobile device. A Digital+ subscription will give you unlimited access to our website where you'll see 70% fewer ads. You can also access the interactive puzzles section along with the digital edition. Subscriptions start from £1 a month.  Michael Cousins Deputy digital editor           NI may need to close border with the south over vaccine differential, Arlene Foster suggests           Northern Ireland may need to impose border controls with the Republic in order to ease restrictions here due to the slower coronavirus vaccine programme in the south, Arlene Foster has said.                 * First Minister Arlene Foster has suggested that NI may need to close border with the south over vaccine differential.  The First Minister made the comments in a radio interview as she made another appeal for the UK to share surplus vaccines with the Republic of Ireland. She also stressed that Northern Ireland isn't "miles off" completing its vaccination programme as she insisted problems with supplies manufactured in India shouldn't hold back the acceleration of the roll-out on this side of the border. * The Department of Health (DoH) recorded zero additional Covid-19 related deaths but did however detect 65 new infections in Northern Ireland in the last 24 hours. It means the total number of Covid related deaths in Northern Ireland since the beginning of the pandemic remains the same at 2,111. The DoH also recorded 65 new infections - the lowest daily total recorded in more than six months. * Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has called on the Northern Ireland Executive to provide urgent clarity to caravan owners around their rights, and when they will be able to once again use their caravans. Ms Lockhart said: "Caravan owners spend thousands of pounds each year for the pleasure of enjoying their caravans. "For many is it a place of respite, of relaxation, of spending quality time with family, and switching off from the pressures and stresses of daily life. Such benefits are all the more needed as we continue to face the impact of COVID-19 on our lives. * The vaccination centre at the SSE Arena is another step on the pathway to a better and safer future, the First Minister, deputy First Minister and Health Minister have said. First Minister Arlene Foster said: "The opening of The SSE Arena as a regional vaccination centre is a significant milestone in the rollout of our vaccination programme. More than 726,000 adults have now received their first dose of the vaccine and the opening of the vaccination centre here will see that figure rise significantly in the coming weeks. I would encourage everyone who is eligible to get booked in, to help protect themselves, their families and our community."           Covid-19 case rates for UK nations 'levelling off' at six-month low   Covid-19 case rates for each of the four UK nations have dropped to a six-month low, but continue to show signs of levelling off, latest figures suggest.           'When can people go to caravans?'   Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has called on the Northern Ireland Executive to provide urgent clarity to caravan owners around their rights, and when they will be able to once again use their caravans.           We won't base easing of virus restrictions on RoI vaccination rate: Swann   Robin Swann said he did not think Northern Ireland would judge when to reopen society from coronavirus restrictions on the Republic of Ireland's vaccination rate.           Zero additional deaths and 65 new infections in last 24 hours   The Department of Health (DoH) recorded zero additional Covid-19 related deaths but did however detect 65 new infections in Northern Ireland in the last 24 hours.           SSE Arena opens for Covid-19 vaccinations   The vaccination centre at the SSE Arena is another step on the pathway to a better and safer future, the First Minister, deputy First Minister and Health Minister have said.           Golf, swimming and outdoor gyms open in England   People across England have begun taking advantage of the relaxation of lockdown measures as outdoor gatherings and sport events resumed.           'Positive feedback' on Northern Trust's mobile Covid jabs team   A 50-strong mobile Covid vaccination team is in operation across the Northern Health and Social Care Trust seven days a week, board members were told at a meeting on Thursday.           Sammy Wilson: Vaccine offer shows Irish Republic that UK – not EU – is its true friend   News that the UK is willing to send millions of vaccine jabs to the Irish Republic should stand as a clear illustration that the UK – not the EU – is Ireland's true friend.                 View more news

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