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| Coronavirus restrictions 'will last more than three weeks' | Coronavirus restrictions 'will last more than three weeks' |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Restrictions on movement in Northern Ireland will last longer than three weeks, the first minister has said. | Restrictions on movement in Northern Ireland will last longer than three weeks, the first minister has said. |
| Arlene Foster said a range of things would need to be reviewed after the initial period. | Arlene Foster said a range of things would need to be reviewed after the initial period. |
| But she said if she was a "betting person" she would think the measures to slow the spread of coronavirus would continue beyond Easter. | But she said if she was a "betting person" she would think the measures to slow the spread of coronavirus would continue beyond Easter. |
| The unprecedented measures were announced by Boris Johnson on Monday night. | The unprecedented measures were announced by Boris Johnson on Monday night. |
| He introduced the Coronavirus Bill, which introduces sweeping measures aimed at preventing the spread of the disease and which will be reviewed in three weeks' time. | He introduced the Coronavirus Bill, which introduces sweeping measures aimed at preventing the spread of the disease and which will be reviewed in three weeks' time. |
| It will be passed at Westminster, but on Tuesday the Northern Ireland Assembly will also debate the legislation, which aims to force people to stay at home. | It will be passed at Westminster, but on Tuesday the Northern Ireland Assembly will also debate the legislation, which aims to force people to stay at home. |
| Four people have died in Northern Ireland after being diagnosed with the virus. | Four people have died in Northern Ireland after being diagnosed with the virus. |
| Speaking to the BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme, Mrs Foster acknowledged the situation was confusing for people. | Speaking to the BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme, Mrs Foster acknowledged the situation was confusing for people. |
| She also said she would ask for credit unions to be added to the list of essential services in Northern Ireland which are allowed to stay open. | She also said she would ask for credit unions to be added to the list of essential services in Northern Ireland which are allowed to stay open. |
| People can only leave their homes for very limited purposes such as shopping for necessities and medicine. | People can only leave their homes for very limited purposes such as shopping for necessities and medicine. |
| One form of exercise per day and essential travel to work is allowed, but gatherings of more than two people have also been banned. | One form of exercise per day and essential travel to work is allowed, but gatherings of more than two people have also been banned. |
| Commenting on the latest measures, Mrs Foster said: "These new rules on social distancing may seem extreme but they are absolutely crucial in slowing the spread of this virus. | Commenting on the latest measures, Mrs Foster said: "These new rules on social distancing may seem extreme but they are absolutely crucial in slowing the spread of this virus. |
| The government is not calling the latest legislative changes a lockdown, but police will have powers to enforce the rules - including through fines and breaking up gatherings. | The government is not calling the latest legislative changes a lockdown, but police will have powers to enforce the rules - including through fines and breaking up gatherings. |
| Later on Tuesday, Mrs Foster said she would be speaking to the Irish government about its approach. | Later on Tuesday, Mrs Foster said she would be speaking to the Irish government about its approach. |
| Measures in the Republic of Ireland are not yet as strict as in the UK. | Measures in the Republic of Ireland are not yet as strict as in the UK. |
| Mrs Foster said it was "very important people do not skip across [the border] to get a haircut". | Mrs Foster said it was "very important people do not skip across [the border] to get a haircut". |
| Also speaking on Good Morning Ulster, Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) leader Steve Aiken said it had "never been easier for people in NI to do the right thing". | Also speaking on Good Morning Ulster, Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) leader Steve Aiken said it had "never been easier for people in NI to do the right thing". |
| He said he believed legislation was necessary in the fight against coronavirus by enforcing social distancing rules more strictly. | He said he believed legislation was necessary in the fight against coronavirus by enforcing social distancing rules more strictly. |
| "The people of NI are sensible, we have been through a lot in the past. Let's be sure we do it right." | "The people of NI are sensible, we have been through a lot in the past. Let's be sure we do it right." |
| Sinn Féin MP for South Down Chris Hazzard said most people would welcome the measures. | Sinn Féin MP for South Down Chris Hazzard said most people would welcome the measures. |
| He added that the tougher restrictions were "somewhat inevitable" after a number of instances of social distancing not being observed over the weekend. | He added that the tougher restrictions were "somewhat inevitable" after a number of instances of social distancing not being observed over the weekend. |
| On Tuesday all MoT tests in Northern Ireland were cancelled after the new restrictions were introduced. | On Tuesday all MoT tests in Northern Ireland were cancelled after the new restrictions were introduced. |
| Testing | Testing |
| On Monday 20 new cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Northern Ireland, bringing the total to 148. | On Monday 20 new cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Northern Ireland, bringing the total to 148. |
| The Department of Health in Northern Ireland has said people with mild symptoms should self isolate, and do not require testing. | The Department of Health in Northern Ireland has said people with mild symptoms should self isolate, and do not require testing. |
| They are not therefore included in testing totals. | They are not therefore included in testing totals. |
| Testing is now being principally provided for patients requiring hospital treatment and those with particular medical conditions. | Testing is now being principally provided for patients requiring hospital treatment and those with particular medical conditions. |
| Health Minister Robin Swann told the assembly on Tuesday there was an aim to rise to 900 tests a day by next week. | |
| He said two other health trusts would also start testing this week, of up to 250 tests a day, meaning NI would have the capability to test about 1,100 people a day. | |
| Once passed, the legislation will give the executive office at Stormont will get an unprecedented raft of new powers. | Once passed, the legislation will give the executive office at Stormont will get an unprecedented raft of new powers. |
| The first and deputy first ministers have again urged people to follow public health advice, to wash your hands often - and to stay at home. | The first and deputy first ministers have again urged people to follow public health advice, to wash your hands often - and to stay at home. |
| Other premises including libraries, playgrounds and outdoor gyms, and places of worship must also close immediately. | Other premises including libraries, playgrounds and outdoor gyms, and places of worship must also close immediately. |
| Parks will remain open for exercise but gatherings will be dispersed. | Parks will remain open for exercise but gatherings will be dispersed. |
| The government is also stopping all social events, including weddings, baptisms and other ceremonies - but funerals will be allowed. | The government is also stopping all social events, including weddings, baptisms and other ceremonies - but funerals will be allowed. |