COVID-19: Northern Ireland to enter six-week lockdown on Boxing Day amid rising infections iwradio.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from iwradio.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
It comes as the health service continues to face severe pressure amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Michael Bloomfield, chief executive of the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS), said the move is “relatively unusual” and reflects the pressure they are under.
“We had support from our colleagues in the National Ambulance Service last year during a particularly challenging time, that said, on a day to day basis we respond to calls in the Republic of Ireland and colleagues from the National Ambulance Service respond to calls here on an individual basis, but in terms of crews coming up to work an entire shift, it’s not something we do often and reflects the pressure we are under,” he told the BBC.
A new six-week lockdown in Northern Ireland is “draconian but necessary”, the deputy First Minister has said.
Stormont Executive ministers agreed to close non-essential retail and contact services, as well as restricting the hospitality sector to takeaway only, from December 26.
No sporting events will be permitted in the first week of the measures, with an overarching message to the public to stay at home.
However, the festive bubbling arrangements will be permitted.
The first week of the intervention will also include an 8pm curfew for essential shops.
The measures are set to be reviewed after four weeks.
Michelle O’Neill said schools were also discussed and ministers agreed they should remain “open for now”, but added the health and education departments will discuss more moves such as blended learning.
A new six-week lockdown in Northern Ireland is “draconian but necessary”, the deputy First Minister has said.
Stormont Executive ministers agreed to close non-essential retail and contact services, as well as restricting the hospitality sector to takeaway only, from December 26.
No sporting events will be permitted in the first week of the measures, with an overarching message to the public to stay at home.
However, the festive bubbling arrangements will be permitted.
The first week of the intervention will also include an 8pm curfew for essential shops.
The measures are set to be reviewed after four weeks.
Michelle O’Neill said schools were also discussed and ministers agreed they should remain “open for now”, but added the health and education departments will discuss more moves such as blended learning.
A new six-week lockdown in Northern Ireland is “draconian but necessary”, the deputy First Minister has said.
Stormont Executive ministers agreed to close non-essential retail and contact services, as well as restricting the hospitality sector to takeaway only, from December 26.
No sporting events will be permitted in the first week of the measures, with an overarching message to the public to stay at home.
However, the festive bubbling arrangements will be permitted.
The first week of the intervention will also include an 8pm curfew for essential shops.
The measures are set to be reviewed after four weeks.
Michelle O’Neill said schools were also discussed and ministers agreed they should remain “open for now”, but added the health and education departments will discuss more moves such as blended learning.