Just over the Donegal border, one of the highest levels in UK
NORTHERN Ireland pubs and restaurants on the Donegal border face tough restrictions to stop a pandemic that is ‘raging’ through the area, Stormont ministers said.
Derry and the nearby town of Strabane, which are both on the border, together have one of the highest levels in the UK and the number infected is doubling every five days.
Hospitality businesses are to be confined to takeaway, delivery and outdoor dining and many will close, the industry warned.
People are urged to limit their use of public transport and work from home if possible, with all ‘ unnecessary travel’ within or to and from the Derry City and Strabane council area to be avoided.
Curbs have al s o been imposed in Donegal after the rapid advance of the virus over recent weeks. Last Sunday, gardaí set up a roadblock to check traffic coming out of Derry city into Donegal.
Yesterday, Northern Ireland’s First Minister, Arlene Foster, said: ‘The virus is very much raging through the community... I recognise this news will come as a hammer blow to
businesses in the north west.’
Stormont ministers agreed the extra curtailment, to last at least a fortnight, during an urgent meeting on Thursday.
A total of 323 have been infected per 100,000 in Derry and Strabane over the last seven days.
The reproductive rate of the virus is at two or higher.
Mrs Foster warned tougher penalties were coming for those who flouted the rules.
Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill said she was asking for a joined-up, collective approach to an emergency situation.
‘It is really alarming to see the rise in cases in that area over the last six or seven days.’
Colin Neill, chief executive of pubs and restaurants group Hospitality Ulster, said it was a devastating blow.
‘The imposing of further restrictions on top of tight l egally enforceable rules will mean closure for many as they won’t be able to meet the requirement, such as outside space, and with the weather getting colder, this will no longer be viable.’