Watch: Localised restrictions imposed in Belfast and Ballymena
Localised restrictions have been imposed in parts of Co Antrim in response to rising numbers of coronavirus cases, at the first press briefing in months to be held jointly by First Minister Arlene Foster and deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill.
The measures will be put in place in Belfast and Ballymena and the following postcode areas:
BT28
BT29
BT43
Video: NI Executive briefing on coronavirus restrictions
People in those areas will not be permitted to mix between households – no more than six people from no more than two households will be able to gather in a garden or outside area.
Some exceptions will apply, with support “bubbles” allowed to continue.
The restrictions come into force from next week, but people are being urged to act immediately to protect those most vulnerable to the effects of Covid-19.
They will apply for at least two weeks.
“There are areas where the spread is of particular concern, where cases are double or treble the average rate for the province,” Mrs Foster said.
According to the First and deputy First Ministers, more postcodes will be added as necessary and restrictions will be lifted from areas as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, an indicative date for the reopening of so called “wet pubs” has been set for 21 September.
Both Mrs Foster and Ms O’Neill also addressed the controversy over the deputy First Minister’s attendance at the funeral of her Sinn Féin party colleague and former IRA veteran Bobby Storey.
Concerns were raised over claims coronavirus restrictions had been breached and relations soured between the DUP and Sinn Féin.
Ms O’Neill has now said she accepts that public health messaging was undermined by her actions.
Joint briefings were halted amid the row, but during Thursday’s proceedings, Ms O’Neill said: “I am glad we are standing here on this platform today at a crucial time in the fight-back against Covid-19.
“We need to chart our way through what is going to be a very difficult winter.”
Read more: O’Neill ‘right to acknowledge undermining of public health message’
The latest briefing from the Northern Ireland Executive comes after one person who tested positive for Covid-19 died in the last 24-hour reporting period and 78 new cases. were recorded.
Thirteen people with coronavirus have been hospitalised and two of them are in intensive care and on ventilators, according to the latest figures from the Department of Health.
The data puts the death toll at 568, but that number is expected to be significantly higher when deaths in all community settings have been accounted for.
The number of outbreaks in care homes has also risen.
There are currently 22 confirmed outbreaks and a further eight suspected outbreaks.
Chief Scientific Adviser Professor Ian Young said: “Given the current estimate for R is lower than it has been in previous weeks, it might be assumed that the position in Northern Ireland is improving, however this is not case.
“We’ve consistently said there are a range of indicators which need to be taken into account to assess the true position.”
Professor Young explained: “When we look at these indicators for the last week, we see there has been a general increase.
“The seven-day rolling average for new cases has increased, as has test positivity.
“If we look back to July, less than one test in 200 was positive. This has steadily been increasing and we’re now seeing about one positive case for every 50 tests.
“In addition, R remains at around 1.2 for new Covid cases. It is clear overall that the epidemic continues to increase and that in particular there is an increase in community transmission.”
He added: “Fortunately, hospital admissions have remained stable and are at a relatively low level.
“However we are seeing an increase in the percentage of cases in the over 60s group and this is could be cause for concern.
“This group is at most risk of severe illness and hospitalisation and, if we continue as we are unabated, it is inevitable that we will continue to see more cases in our older population and that will translate to more hospital admissions and, in due course, more deaths.”