Death toll from coronavirus in Northern Ireland rises by ten

A number of people were fined by the PSNI and others were instructed to return to their homes for breaching the social distancing rules this Easter holiday weekend.

As the number of deaths from coronavirus in Northern Ireland increased by ten police have stepped up their campaign to make sure people adhere to social distancing regulations.

As well as increasing patrols this weekend the PSNI has now launched a dedicated web page where people can report instances where social distancing is not being observed.

And as the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar extended restrictions on movement in the Republic until May 5th there was little expectation that there would be any imminent relaxation of regulations in Northern Ireland.

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The next review of restrictions in the North is due on Saturday, April 18th, said a senior Stormont source, but no anticipation that the rules would be lifted any time soon.

The North's Public Health Agency (PHA) reported on Friday afternoon that ten more people have died from Covid-19 in Northern Ireland, bringing the total number of deaths to 92.

This is the second highest number of deaths recorded in a day in Northern Ireland. On April 3rd there were 12 deaths.

The PHA also reported 112 new confirmed cases of coronavirus in the North, leaving the total of cases at 1,589. So far 11,006 people have been tested for the virus.

Online form

People in Northern Ireland can now use a police online form to submit a complaint or report about a person not adhering to required social distancing; a gathering of people in breach of social distancing requirements, a person repeatedly travelling for non-essential purposes or a bar or licensed premises remaining open.

Assistant chief constable Alan Todd encouraged people to use the new web process "sensibly" to report when the rules are being flouted.

“We want to resolve situations where the restrictions are being contravened without having to resort to enforcement powers or issuing fines,” he said.

“However, where breaches do occur, we want to make it as easy as possible for members of the public to tell us while, at the same time, making sure that the ‘101’ (non emergency) number remains available and accessible to those who need to report a crime or an incident,” he added.

Mr Todd said that between March 28th and Friday (April 10th) police received 906 complaints of the restrictions not being followed. The reporting website is at www.psni.police.uk/covid19.

Later on Friday evening, and amid concerns that people might seek to travel to their holiday homes for the weekend, Mr Todd said a considerable number of people had been stopped by police patrols and instructed to return home. "The vast majority have taken advice and done the right thing and returned home," he told BBC Radio Ulster.

He said however that three people didn’t heed police advice and were fined. Fines start at £60 but will be reduced to £30 if paid within fourteen days.

Mr Todd said there were 100 dedicated police crews operating to ensure people stayed at home this weekend.

The First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill in a video message on Friday also called on people to stay at home over Easter.

Said Ms Foster, “I would remind people that the PSNI will have a strong presence on the ground over the Easter period and beyond, and they will take action against anyone who is flouting the rules on non-essential travel and social distancing.”

And while efforts to secure a joint Northern Executive-Irish Government order for personal protective equipment from China collapsed last week the Stormont administration is again seeking to secure a different order for PPE from China.

The Stormont health and finance departments are now hoping to secure a £170 million order from a different Chinese source for the material, it was confirmed on Friday.

They also plan to source £70 million of PPE from Northern Ireland companies.