No deaths reported by the Department of Health in the last 24 hours + NI golfers return to courses with a ‘spring in their step’ as lockdown eases

Councillor predicts flood of visitors to north coast over Easter after Bobby Storey ruling

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Subscribe              Apr 1, 2021           Good afternoon This is your Coronavirus update from the News Letter.  By taking out a subscription to the News Letter you can help us to continue to provide trusted fact checked journalism investigating the issues that matter to people in Northern Ireland.  A Digital+ package starts from only £1 month and gives you unlimited access to the website, you'll see 70% fewer ads, you'll get full access to our online puzzles section and access to the newspaper edition app on mobile, desktop and tablet.            NO deaths with Covid-19 in NI for 48 hours           There have been no deaths reported by the Department of Health in the last 24 hours, the latest dashboard has revealed.                 On the day that Northern Ireland should be celebrating the first easing of Coronvirus restrictions the fallout from the Bobby Storey funeral continues to dominate the news in Northern Ireland. Stormont's deputy First Minister offered a "heartfelt and unreserved apology" to families bereaved in the pandemic for her actions in relation to her attendance at a large republican funeral. However, Arlene Foster has said 'Sinn Fein calls for equality, respect and integrity but actually demonstrates the opposite' As the controversy looks set to rumble on a leading doctor has said Northern Ireland "can't stay locked down forever" and expressed hope that the vaccination roll-out could stave off the threat of another wave of coronavirus. Dr Alan Stout, the chair of the British Medical Association's GP committee in Northern Ireland, also stressed that authorities must be prepared to "slow down" and "halt" the easing of lockdown if infection rates do begin to increase. Joining the call for caution the Chief Medical Officer for Northern Ireland Dr Michael McBride and the Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Ireland Dr Ronan Glynn have jointly appealed to the public to continue to follow public health advice to ensure everyone can have a safe Easter. "Unfortunately, this Easter, we still have a very dangerous, very transmissible virus, circulating in our communities that continues to spread and cause serious illness and, sadly, death. As we ease out from lockdown NI golfers return to courses with a 'spring in their step'.  Golf courses reopened for the first time since December 26, however clubhouses remained closed as part of the Stormont Executive's gradual emergence from lockdown. You can read how the latest changes affect us all here.  Have a good day Michael Cousins Deputy digital editor           NI golfers return to courses with a 'spring in their step' as lockdown eases   Following the return of the first children to school last month, the latest relaxation of the restrictions means up to six people from no more than two households are permitted to meet outdoors in a private garden.           Councillor predicts flood of visitors to north coast over Easter after Bobby Storey ruling   A Coleraine DUP councillor is predicting a flood of visitors to the Causeway Coast area over the Easter holiday period in defiance of lockdown regulations following the outcome of the investigation into the Bobby Storey funeral.           Sinn Fein showed us they were 'above the law whilst we abided by the law' at Bobby Storey funeral   First Minister Arlene Foster in a message on social media has revealed her disgust at Sinn Fein's disregard for Covid-19 regulations after their attendance at the funeral of Bobby Storey in June 2020.           Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill says she is 'truly sorry' about hurt caused 'to so many families'   First Minister Arlene Foster has accused Sinn Fein of "clear and premeditated breaches of the Covid regulations" at the funeral of republican Bobby Storey last June.           Explainer: NI takes tentative steps out of lockdown as restrictions ease today   Northern Ireland will take some tentative steps out of lockdown today with the slight easing of restrictions on meeting outdoors.           Covid restrictions: What is the latest situation across the UK nations?   Northern Ireland is taking its next gradual steps out of Covid lockdown from Thursday, while Wales has set out fresh dates for its own easing of restrictions.           Owen Polley: It is no surprise that the funeral of the IRA thug Bobby Storey escaped even a caution   On Tuesday, the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) announced that it will not prosecute republicans for breaches of coronavirus rules at the funeral of the IRA thug, Bobby Storey.                 View more news

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