First Minister Arlene Foster said it was “reckless” that some individuals continued to break the regulations in what is a critical point in the fight against Covid-19.
Mrs Foster slammed those continuing to hold house parties and other social gatherings despite the pandemic emergency.
The DUP leader held a media briefing on Thursday evening alongside the deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill and PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne.
Their appearance at Hill of The O’Neill in Dungannon came as the Department of Health recorded a further 16 deaths linked to coronavirus earlier that day.
Speaking at the briefing, Mrs Foster said: “This success, important as it is, does not alter the scale of the challenge that is ahead of us.
“What it does do is it gives us time, time for us to push ahead with our strategy to protect you and your loved ones.”
“We are all now partners in protecting people and preventing a greater loss of life.”
Reproduction rate of Covid-19 has been reduced below 1
The First Minister Arlene Foster said the reproductive rate of the virus has declined to 0.7-0.9 in Northern Ireland.
She added: “We have been able to break the pathways of transmission.
“Together over this last number of weeks we’ve been able to break pathways of transmission and to slow the spread of the deadly virus in our community.”
Arlene Foster also revealed that the doubling rate for the virus across the country is now 55.5 days.
The R number had been 1.8 when the current six-week lockdown was introduced after Christmas.
Northern Ireland Executive ‘frustrated’ with Irish Government over travel sharing data
The NI Executive wants to discuss travel locator forms with the Irish Government and improve sharing of information, Arlene Foster said.
Mrs Foster said a large of number people may have entered Northern Ireland from the Republic over the Christmas holiday period.
“Unfortunately, this has been a long-running saga about travel locator forms,” she told the media briefing.
“I do recall when we were at an NSMC (North South Ministerial Council meeting) in Dublin, I think it was July, the issue was raised at that meeting. I know for sure that the Minister of Health (Robin Swann) has been raising it on numerous occasions at meetings and indeed in correspondence with his counterpart in Dublin (Stephen Donnelly).
“So it has been going on for far too long, and I think there was a general feeling of frustration around the whole of the Executive table that we need to get a solution to this and we need to do it now.”
Michelle O’Neill said a “two-island approach” was required when it came to travel.
She added: “The common travel area does serve us well and has done for years, but we need heads of government to come together so we have agreed to pursue meetings with the Taoiseach, the prime minister and ourselves and that needs to happen as a matter of urgency.
“So that’s why we are asking for the conversation again with both the Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister, because now is the time to have a clear two islands approach, because I think we’re all at a critical juncture in terms of the virus spread.”
Ministers slammed those who continue to break Covid-19 regulations
The First and Deputy First Minister both slammed those continuing to break Covid-19 rules in Northern Ireland.
Arlene Foster said it was “incredible” and “frankly unbelievable” that some people continue to host house parties and social gatherings.
She added: “We are all now partners in protecting people and preventing a greater loss of life.
“I find it unbelievable that people are still holding house parties when the rest of us are fighting hard to give the rest of us a chance to live.”
Almost five-percent of NI population have received Covid-19 vaccine
Ministers reveal on Thursday that more than 102,000 people have been vaccinated.
In 467 of 483 care homes, residents have received their first dose, while almost three quarters (72%) of care homes have had second doses.
“This success, important as it is, does not alter the scale of the challenge that is ahead of us,” Arlene Foster said.
“What it does do is it gives us time, time for us to push ahead with our strategy to protect you and your loved ones.”
Michelle O’Neill added: “We have teams of people working seven days a week and I want to commend them.”
The Deputy First Minister said it was “really remarkable” that almost 5% of the population had been vaccinated.
Airline passengers arriving into NI will soon have to produce a negative Covid-19 test before departure
It was outlined on Thursday that passengers arriving into NI from outside the UK and Republic of Ireland will soon have to produce a negative Covid-19 test before departure.
Arlene Foster said the NI Executive had agreed the plan earlier that day.
She said: “This means that anyone arriving into Northern Ireland who has been outside of the common travel area within the previous 14 days must have evidence of a negative test in the last 72 hours.”
The test will also require “all such passengers” to self-isolate for 14 days.
PSNI issuing around 40 penalty notices every day
Police Chief Constable Simon Byrne said around 40 people a day are receiving Covid-19 penalty notices in Northern Ireland for breaking Covid-19 regulations.
The PSNI chief constable his force would be enforcement would be “firm and swift” to anyone “blatantly” breaking the rules.
However, Mr Byrne said the vast majority were continuing complying with the rules.
He added: “We won’t turn a blind eye when people break the rules.”
Ministers on lifting of current Covid-19 restrictions
The First Minister said she does not have a “crystal ball” when it comes to predicting if restrictions will ease in Northern Ireland next month.
Northern Ireland is currently in a six-week lockdown which began on December 26 and is due to end on February 6.
The DUP leader said the NI Executive would act on the advice of scientific advisors next week.
“None of this is inevitable,” Mrs Foster added.
“We will wait to see what the papers say and take our action from there. I don’t have a crystal ball but I am really pleased to say the greater number of people in Northern Ireland are abiding by the advice and we’re seeing the benefit of that.”
Northern Ireland hospital admissions to peak “next week”
Arlene Foster said the number of hospital admissions was due to peak later early next week.
The DUP leader added: “We are all now partners in protecting people and preventing a greater loss of life.
“I find it unbelievable that people are still holding house parties when the rest of us are fighting hard to give the rest of us a chance to live.”
Meanwhile, the minister added intensive care unit admissions would continue to rise for another week or so.
Northern Ireland has ‘Exit Strategy’ from Covid-19 in place
Ministers revealed that plans are underway to prepare for the future without Covid-19.
“We have a strategic task force that is looking at all of these issues,” Arlene Foster said.
“It is looking at how this has impacted upon citizens, on our economy and we are also using behavioural scientists in a way that perhaps we didn’t last year.
“The task force is there to have a strategic overview to try and help us look and plan to come out and absolutely to recover our economy and society. There are huge challenges ahead and we don’t underestimate those.”
-- to www.belfastlive.co.uk
