'Postcode' restrictions likely as Stormont meets to address spike in covid cases
The Stormont Executive is meeting today (Thursday) to discuss ways to tackle Northern Ireland's rise in covid cases.
Health Minister Robin Swan will recommend tightening restrictions by using a 'postcode' method to identify worst-hit locations.
He said concrete action was needed to slow the spread now - so as to avoid further restrictions including possible lockdown later in the year.
"The message is simple," the Minister said.
"The summer is over.
"In common with other jurisdictions, we have decisions to make on how we stem a disturbing increase in Covid cases.
"I believe concrete action is now necessary.''
The minister said decisions would be required on whether it would apply to Northern Ireland as a whole or to more localised areas with higher rates of infection.
In England, social gatherings are to be restricted to a maximum of six, with some exceptions, from Monday.
Stormont's chief medical officer Dr Michael McBride said: We are now at a crossroads, individually and collectively.
"As a society, we have stark choices to make.''
Northern Ireland's case rate is 35 per 100,000 people.
That is higher than other parts of the UK.
Chief scientific adviser Professor Ian Young said there had been a 20-fold increase in the number of cases since the start of July compared to just a five-fold rise in the number of tests.
The daily average is now over 90.
First Minister Arlene Foster said the Executive may have to take similar interventions like those imposed in Glasgow, where households are banned from visiting others indoors.