According to the latest figures released by the Department of Health, 616 people in Northern Ireland have tested Kovid-19 positive.
Political leaders in Northern Ireland today plan to talk to Taoistachi and the British Prime Minister about the next steps in the fight against the virus.
The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill, was chaired by Health Minister Robin Swann, who described what she described as “planned additional interventions”.
Last Thursday the meeting considered the impact of the strict restrictions imposed on Derry and Strabaine, the most infectious areas on the island of Ireland.
Across Northern Ireland there has been no indication that an executive known as the “circuit breaker lockdown” is planned soon.
Finance is an important factor as thousands of businesses and employees will have to pay compensation if more stringent restrictions are imposed.
Last week, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he would provide the necessary financial resources if stricter restrictions were imposed, but did not elaborate.
Stonemont Finance Minister Connor Murphy sent a letter to the British Chancellor of Exchequer this morning requesting a meeting to discuss financial aid.
Speaking after the meeting, Murphy confirmed that he was holding an urgent meeting with Rishi Sunak to discuss additional finances.
He was asked if the Stonemont executive would try to coordinate any new Kovid-19 regulations with the Irish government.
“We need to have a conversation today,” Murphy said.
“First, I understand that the Deputy Ministers would like to talk to Tao Tzu and the British Prime Minister today, so it would be good to coordinate further across these islands so that the measures are effective.”
Any idea of a circuit breaker will only work if it works across the island of Ireland
– Michelle O’Neill (one Moneilsf) October 4, 2020
Earlier, Prime Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill confirmed that they were in talks with Michael Martin and Boris Johnson.
Michelle O’Neill said in a tweet that any circuit breaker would only work if it worked across the island of Ireland.
Arlene Foster reiterated the need for a coordinated and consistent approach across the UK.
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