New Christmas travel restrictions revealed as NI records highest Covid-related deaths and infections in months

The Department of Health (DoH) has updated guidance concerning visiting people in residential and care homes in Northern Ireland. View email online

Subscribe Dec 23, 2020 Good afternoon, The Stormont Executive has now issued a raft of new travel restrictions to try to combat Northern Ireland's worrying rise in Covid infections. Among the measures is that anyone travelling into Northern Ireland who plans to stay for at least 24 hours will have to self-isolate on arrival. There will also be a 'stay at home curfew' from 8pm to 6am each day for the week beginning on Boxing Day, with exceptions only for specifically defined purposes. Health Minister Robin Swann has made it clear he wants to strengthen the stay-at-home message with legal enforcement if the restrictions are to have an impact on the transmission of the virus. Today's figures show that sadly Northern Ireland has recorded its highest number of daily Covid-19 related deaths and new infections in months. With the announcement by Health Secretary Matt Hancock this afternoon of another worrying new variant of the virus, it is imperative that every single one of us recognises the personal responsibility we have in not only keeping our nearest and dearest safe, but the wider community. Keep safe. Valerie Martin, Head of Content. Thanks for your support for our journalism this year. If you haven't already, then please consider taking out a digital subscription with us from just £1 a month. And we are offering 20% off if you get someone a subscription as a gift this Christmas. Just use the code CHRISTGIFT20 - find out more here. New advice issued on visiting care homes in NI over Christmas The Department of Health (DoH) has updated guidance concerning visiting people in residential and care homes in Northern Ireland. 36% of people whose deaths were linked to Covid-19 also had a form of dementia More than a third of people whose deaths were linked to Covid-19 in Northern Ireland also had a form of dementia, statistics show. DUP MP Gregory Campbell claims SF credibility in handling of pandemic is ‘in tatters’ DUP MP Gregory Campbell has accused Sinn Fein of playing politics with Covid-19 and appealed to them to work with the other Northern Ireland parties to “safeguard lives and livelihoods”. Joy as NI travellers make it home for Christmas amid confusion over rules across UK There were joyous scenes in Belfast yesterday as travellers who managed to make it back to Northern Ireland in time for Christmas embraced family and friends. Simon Hamilton: There is a real fear now that businesses in Northern Ireland will be closed for months There is a scene in the Adam Sandler movie ‘Big Daddy’ where Julian, the child Sandler’s character is trying to adopt, is playing cards with Sandler and a takeaway delivery guy, writes SIMON HAMILTON. The Music of Dalriada is shared online A Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council project is celebrating the shared musical traditions of Rathlin Island, the Glens of Antrim and the Mull of Kintyre with the first of three special online performances. When a location which was used for worship becomes infected we are commanded to ‘come out’ of such and the Lord will receive us A letter from Rev Ivan Foster: View more news

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