Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill is self-isolating after a family member tested positive for coronavirus

Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister is self-isolating after a family member tested positive for Covid-19.

Michelle O'Neill, who is being tested herself, will need to restrict her movements for two weeks and work remotely from her Co Tyrone home.

It would only have potential self-isolating consequences for Ms O'Neill's Stormont colleagues if the Sinn Fein vice president tests positive for the virus.

It comes as the Stormont Executive continues to grapple with high infection rates across the region.

The Derry and Strabane Council districts are one of the worst hit areas in the UK and Ireland.

Michelle O'Neill (pictured yesterday), who is being tested herself, will need to restrict her movements for two weeks and work remotely from her Co Tyrone home

Ministers moved on Thursday to increase fines for non-compliance with Covid-19 regulations.

The executive also extended the number of places where the wearing of face coverings will be compulsory.

But the powersharing administration stopped short of introducing any new restrictions on social gatherings or the hospitality industry.

A Sinn Fein spokesman said: 'Joint head of government Michelle O'Neill has confirmed that she is being tested for coronavirus and is self-isolating after contact with a family member who has tested positive for Covid-19.

'Michelle will continue to follow the public health advice and carry out her duties in Government remotely.'

As of Thursday, some 4,674 new cases of the virus had been confirmed in the region over a seven-day period.

It would only have potential self-isolating consequences for Ms O'Neill's Stormont colleagues if the Sinn Fein vice president tests positive for the virus

There were 120 people with Covid-19 being treated in hospital, 15 of whom are in intensive care, and 11 on ventilators.

Ministers continue to lobby the government for assurances further financial support will be forthcoming from the Treasury if Northern Ireland is forced into lockdown.

Ireland's foreign affairs minister Simon Coveney said he raised the issue of funding with Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis during a meeting at Hillsborough Castle on Thursday afternoon.

Speaking on Friday morning, Mr Coveney said Mr Lewis assured him money was available to Stormont.

But Mr Coveney did not clarify if the Northern Ireland Secretary was referring to new money or already announced initiatives

He told RTE: 'He assures me that finance is already available to the Executive in Northern Ireland and that finance from London shouldn't be an obstacle to Northern Ireland doing what it needs to do to manage the spread of Covid.'

Comments

EXCLUSIVE: From a $US13million mansion to a caravan: How the Australian wife of Il Divo singer has been 'forced' to live in a dodgy trailer park after a wildfire burned down their house during a bitter divorce battle

'Forced' into a 'mobile home park': Renee Izambard (nee Murphy) with her estranged husband, the suave Il Divo opera singer Sebastien Izambard An Il Divo opera singer's estranged Australian wife claims she was 'forced' to live in a caravan park after their $US12.95million Malibu mansion burned down in a wildfire days just after she filed for divorce. Details of one-time Sydney Sony Music executive Renee Izambard's new life after her messy split with French tenor Sebastien Izambard were laid bare in a lawsuit filed with a Californian court this week. Ms Izambard (nee Murphy) is suing insurer State Farm, her estranged husband, an insurance agent and up to 20 others, over an allegedly 'inadequate' policy which covered the couple's destroyed former Malibu home. Their five bedroom residence - described as a 'no expense spared ... oasis' - and its two guest houses went up in flames on November 8, 2018 during California's devastating Wo...

The HS2 money pit: Ministers are told first stage of high-speed rail line may cost another £800m... six months after a budget increase saw total costs soar by £20.6bn to £43billion

Ministers have been told that Phase One of controversial rail line HS2 could cost £800million more than planned. It comes just six months after a budget increase saw total predicted costs for the first stage of the high-speed line soar by £20.6billion to £43billion. In a written statement to Parliament, HS2 Minister Andrew Stephenson said half of this figure is due to preparation of the route for construction involving 'more significant challenges than anticipated'. This includes the need to remove more asbestos than expected. Another 'significant cost pressure' worth £400 million has also been identified during the development of designs for Euston station. Mr Stephenson warned that further investigation is being carried out which 'could identify further pressure'. Ministers have been told that Phase One of controversial rail line HS2 could cost £800million more than planned. Pictured: HS2 Minister Andrew Stephenson The HS2 route would initially link London and...

EXCLUSIVE: Disgraced ex-congresswoman Katie Hill quietly settles divorce from 'abusive' husband after blaming him for exposing their 'throuple' sexual relationship with a young female campaign staffer

Disgraced Democratic Congresswoman Katie Hill has quietly settled her divorce from husband Kenny Heslep after blaming him for exposing a ‘throuple’ sexual relationship they were having with a young female campaign staffer, DailyMail.com can reveal. Hill, 33, resigned from Congress last year after the publication of shocking nude photos of the politician cavorting with junior staffer Morgan Desjardins, who was 22 at the time, and an ethics probe was launched into her alleged affair with another aide. The freshman Democrat from California immediately accused her 'abusive' husband Heslep, 36, of trying to humiliate her and leaking the snaps to ruin her political career. But speaking to DailyMail.com about the divorce settlement, Heslep's lawyer said the former congresswoman's claims were 'all smoke and mirrors.' Disgraced Democratic Congresswoman Katie Hill has quietly settled her divorce from husband Kenny Heslep after blaming him for exposing a ‘throuple’ sexual ...

Newsif Blog

Search This Blog