skip to main content

No further Covid-19 deaths recorded in Northern Ireland

Seven new cases of Covid-19 were reported in the last 24 hours
Seven new cases of Covid-19 were reported in the last 24 hours

No further Coronavirus deaths have been recorded in Northern Ireland during the past 24 hours, for the fifth day in week.

The official Department of Health death toll remains at 541.

There are seven new cases of Covid-19, bringing the total to 4,848.

There are 40 confirmed coronavirus patients being treated in hospitals, with seven in intensive care.

Meanwhile, public toilets and other amenities at forests and country parks owned by the Department of Agriculture in Northern Ireland can reopen from tomorrow.

In a further easing of Covid-19 restrictions, vans selling food, ice creams and beverages will also be able to operate at the locations.

The Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Edwin Poots, said toilets at many of the sites will open from tomorrow afternoon, and that officials are working urgently to ensure those at remaining sites reopen as soon as possible.

"I am opening these facilities as a further step to aid recovery and to provide a more complete experience for people visiting these fantastic outdoor venues," he said.

"In doing so, I would once again stress the need for visitors to use the facilities responsibly and continue to play their part in reducing Covid-19 risks for everyone."

Meanwhile Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill has said Executive announcements tomorrow and on Thursday on the easing of lockdown restrictions will be welcomed by the hospitality industry.

Ms O'Neill suggested that they will be "significant days" in terms of announcements.

"We want to keep moving forward - we want to keep giving people that wee bit more to try to get back to some semblance of normality, so the hospitality sector is one, but there's other sectors out there that are now asking for an indicative date and I think it's important that we give them all indicative dates," she told BBC Politics.

She said despite this, there is a need for caution and to "avoid a second wave if we can".

"I want the hospitality to open up, but imagine if we were to open up now and have to shut everything down in four or six weeks?

"I'm working our way through our plan gradually and incrementally. We're certainly in a good place, making positive steps forward, but we need to do it gradually."

Since yesterday, people living alone have been able to reunite with their families after three months of coronavirus lockdown in Northern Ireland, while the number who can meet outside while practising social distancing to limit the risk of transmission was increased from six to ten.

Ms O'Neill said she does not feel "any pressure whatsoever" to follow the Irish government's plans to ease lockdown measures.

Looking ahead, she said childcare and the reopening of schools will be the key issues.

"More people are returning to work but they need childcare - you can't tell them to go back to work without saying what childcare will look like. We have asked the health and education ministers to bring forward the childcare recovery plan," she said.

"For me, there is two key issues in the week ahead - what does school look like in September and what does childcare look like for our families?

"I have spent time last week speaking to many providers who are really unsure about what it is they need to open up. Parents have spoken to me about their worries regarding returning to work and childcare."