4 ministers are isolating but ‘business will proceed’

THE business of government will continue in Northern Ireland despite four Executive ministers selfisolating, the First Minister has said.

Finance Minister Conor Murphy became the latest to self-isolate on Thursday following Deputy First Minister Michelle O’neill,

Health Minister Robin Swann and Communities Minister Caral Ni Chuilin.

Arlene Foster said the Executive’s work will proceed.

She told an Executive press conference yesterday: “The Deputy First Minister has been self-isolating for some time and that certainly hasn’t stopped the business of government proceeding and we will continue to proceed.

“We had our Executive meeting today by Zoom for over three hours.

“That will continue, the business of government will continue because we know that we are at risk like anyone else in the community and it is important that we protect ourselves when we are alerted to the fact we may have been exposed to Covid-19.”

Ms O’neill’s 14-day period ends on Friday.

Sinn Fein’s Junior Minister Declan Kearney quipped he has “acquired the moniker as the party’s designated survivor”.

“I am the sole standing member of the Sinn Fein team at the Executive for now,” he said at the Executive press conference as he stood in for Mr Murphy.

On Wednesday evening, Ulster Unionist MLA John Stewart said he had tested positive for the virus.

He added he had been tested on Tuesday after feeling ill and suffering symptoms of a headache as well as fatigue.

Mr Stewart tweeted: “Feeling ill, head pounding & really fatigued”.

DUP MLA Pam Cameron and UUP East Belfast MLA Andy Allen also posted on social media on Wednesday they are self-isolating after receiving alerts.

Sinn Fein MLA for West Belfast Orlaithi Flynn announced last week she was required to self-isolate.

MN CHANGE PIC and Declan Kearney