Covid-19 responsible for NI's 'toughest year in living memory' says Arlene Foster

Ms. Foster was reflecting on the anniversary of the first lockdown announcement when she made the remarks.

“It’s been a hugely difficult year for so many people in Northern Ireland,” she said.

“I think back to when we were told about the lockdown and I think of all the people that have lost their lives during this year, yes to Covid of course, but also those people who have passed away and who haven’t been able to have the normal funerals, the normal grieving process, the normal celebration of life that would normally take place.

“I think about all of those people who have really sacrificed this year – the key workers, all of our young people, the older people who have been isolated – so it has been probably the toughest year in living memory.

“There are still some people alive who remember the Second World War, but I think it’s probably been the toughest year in living memory for a lot of people.

“So, it was absolutely right that we should take a moment at 12pm to remember what has happened this year, and to hopefully look forward to better days.”

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