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Coronavirus: Minimum fine for Covid law breach to rise to £200 Coronavirus: Minimum fine for Covid law breach to rise to £200
(32 minutes later)
People in Northern Ireland caught breaching coronavirus regulations will now face a minimum fine of £200 under plans agreed by the executive.People in Northern Ireland caught breaching coronavirus regulations will now face a minimum fine of £200 under plans agreed by the executive.
It is understood ministers have signed off on proposals brought by Justice Minister Naomi Long.It is understood ministers have signed off on proposals brought by Justice Minister Naomi Long.
At present, fixed penalty notices start at £60, but can rise to £960 for repeat offenders.At present, fixed penalty notices start at £60, but can rise to £960 for repeat offenders.
BBC News NI understands that the use of mandatory face coverings in NI is also to be extended.BBC News NI understands that the use of mandatory face coverings in NI is also to be extended.
Face coverings are compulsory on public transport and for customers in shops, but will be compulsory in the following settings: Face coverings are already compulsory on public transport and for customers in shops, but will now become mandatory in the following settings:
The usual exemptions from wearing a face covering will still apply, the executive has said.The usual exemptions from wearing a face covering will still apply, the executive has said.
No new local restrictionsNo new local restrictions
It is also understood that despite speculation, the executive has agreed not to impose new local restrictions in Newry, Mourne and Down council area, where cases have been rising sharply in recent days.It is also understood that despite speculation, the executive has agreed not to impose new local restrictions in Newry, Mourne and Down council area, where cases have been rising sharply in recent days.
The first and deputy first ministers are due to set out details at a press conference at Stormont at 16:45 BST.
Earlier, Taoiseach (Irish PM) Micheál Martin and Prime Minister Boris Johnson expressed concerns about the rising numbers of coronavirus cases in Northern Ireland.Earlier, Taoiseach (Irish PM) Micheál Martin and Prime Minister Boris Johnson expressed concerns about the rising numbers of coronavirus cases in Northern Ireland.
The two leaders spoke by phone on Thursday morning.The two leaders spoke by phone on Thursday morning.
Mr Johnson also raised concerns about the impact of "restrictions on the economy", an Irish government spokesperson said.Mr Johnson also raised concerns about the impact of "restrictions on the economy", an Irish government spokesperson said.
They agreed to monitor the situation and remain in touch.They agreed to monitor the situation and remain in touch.
Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said she and First Minister Arlene Foster had asked for "an urgent conversation" with Mr Johnson due to cases rising "at an alarming rate".Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill said she and First Minister Arlene Foster had asked for "an urgent conversation" with Mr Johnson due to cases rising "at an alarming rate".
NI's chief medical officer Dr Michael McBride will speak with his Republic of Ireland counterpart Dr Tony Holohan later on Thursday.NI's chief medical officer Dr Michael McBride will speak with his Republic of Ireland counterpart Dr Tony Holohan later on Thursday.
Last week, Arlene Foster had warned that "tougher penalties are coming", in a sign the executive wants to take a harder stance on those who flout the rules.Last week, Arlene Foster had warned that "tougher penalties are coming", in a sign the executive wants to take a harder stance on those who flout the rules.
On Wednesday evening, Health Minister Robin Swann told the BBC's Nolan Show: "If the penalty for not wearing a face covering is not enough to get people to do it, then we have to increase that penalty."On Wednesday evening, Health Minister Robin Swann told the BBC's Nolan Show: "If the penalty for not wearing a face covering is not enough to get people to do it, then we have to increase that penalty."
He said ministers would have to "step up enforcement" which would require the involvement of police and "our entire justice system getting behind the health messaging that we need people to follow".He said ministers would have to "step up enforcement" which would require the involvement of police and "our entire justice system getting behind the health messaging that we need people to follow".
Mr Swann suggested that council environmental health officers may also be involved in the enforcement of face coverings in shops.Mr Swann suggested that council environmental health officers may also be involved in the enforcement of face coverings in shops.
He added that he wanted to encourage the retail sector to "step up and take some ownership of this".He added that he wanted to encourage the retail sector to "step up and take some ownership of this".
On Wednesday, Northern Ireland Chief Scientific Adviser Prof Ian Young said of the coronavirus clusters identified, more than half of them had been linked to the hospitality sector.On Wednesday, Northern Ireland Chief Scientific Adviser Prof Ian Young said of the coronavirus clusters identified, more than half of them had been linked to the hospitality sector.
Stormont ministers have not ruled out bringing in a circuit breaker over the half-term holidays, if localised restrictions do not help to halt the rise in infections.Stormont ministers have not ruled out bringing in a circuit breaker over the half-term holidays, if localised restrictions do not help to halt the rise in infections.
A circuit breaker is a lockdown for a short period of time, possibly two weeks, to slow the spread of the virus.A circuit breaker is a lockdown for a short period of time, possibly two weeks, to slow the spread of the virus.
It would likely see all pubs and restaurants in Northern Ireland forced to close for the two weeks.It would likely see all pubs and restaurants in Northern Ireland forced to close for the two weeks.
But Economy Minister Diane Dodds said it would only be viable with additional financial support from Westminster.But Economy Minister Diane Dodds said it would only be viable with additional financial support from Westminster.
Colin Johnston, the managing director of Galgorm Collection, said "the stark reality" is that up to 75% of hospitality jobs could be lost in Northern Ireland by Christmas if there is another lockdown period without support for the industry.Colin Johnston, the managing director of Galgorm Collection, said "the stark reality" is that up to 75% of hospitality jobs could be lost in Northern Ireland by Christmas if there is another lockdown period without support for the industry.
The hotel and restaurant business employs close to 900 people.The hotel and restaurant business employs close to 900 people.
"We understand that everyone's health is vitally important, however, we must urgently find a way forward to protect jobs and livelihoods and the very future of tourism and hospitality industry in Northern Ireland," he said."We understand that everyone's health is vitally important, however, we must urgently find a way forward to protect jobs and livelihoods and the very future of tourism and hospitality industry in Northern Ireland," he said.
It is thought there could be further announcements next week from the Treasury about providing support to the hospitality industry in the worst hit areas of England, where pub closures are being explored.It is thought there could be further announcements next week from the Treasury about providing support to the hospitality industry in the worst hit areas of England, where pub closures are being explored.
That could automatically lead to some extra funding for Northern Ireland through what is known as a Barnett consequential.That could automatically lead to some extra funding for Northern Ireland through what is known as a Barnett consequential.
'Dramatic changes''Dramatic changes'
Meanwhile, interim chief executive of the South Eastern Health Trust Seamus McGoran said now is "a critical time" for the NHS and the public.Meanwhile, interim chief executive of the South Eastern Health Trust Seamus McGoran said now is "a critical time" for the NHS and the public.
He told the BBC: "It feels rather like March, when we were not really in the foothills of the surge, but one third to half way up the mountain. Unless we make dramatic changes within our behaviours within the community, we're going to be exactly where we were in about two to three weeks' time."He told the BBC: "It feels rather like March, when we were not really in the foothills of the surge, but one third to half way up the mountain. Unless we make dramatic changes within our behaviours within the community, we're going to be exactly where we were in about two to three weeks' time."