New powers come into force to restrict movement in the fight against coronavirus

The regulations come into force at 11pm on Saturday.

They flow from the emergency laws passed at Westminster earlier in the week.

The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 include penalty fines of up to £5,000 for those in breach.

The regulations give the authorities the power to close certain premises and prohibit anyone from leaving home without a reasonable excuse.

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Commenting on the introduction of the powers, First Minister Arlene Foster said: “These are extraordinary powers for any Government to have to introduce, but we are living in extraordinary times.

“We are asking the people of Northern Ireland to make fundamental changes to how they live their lives. But we are doing this to keep you safe, to flatten the curve of the Covid-19 infection so that the health service has the capacity to deal with those who need their help the most.

“We know the enormity of what we are asking of the public, but it is proportionate to the threat we all face from this deadly virus. No-one is immune.”

Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill said: “Protecting the public, supporting the health service and saving lives are the priorities for the executive during this crisis.

“Each one of us has a personal responsibility to do everything we can to fight back against Covid-19 for the good of everyone across society. That’s why we are asking everyone to comply with the new measures being introduced today.

“As an executive, we don’t want to get to the stage where people are being fined for being out when they should be at home. But if anyone – even after everything they have heard or seen over the last few weeks – still believes that this does not apply to them, then we will use every power we have to ensure people stay at home so that we save as many lives as we possibly can.”

The executive had faced some criticism for the length of time it had taken to agree the regulations.

They list the types of business which will have to close and the types that will have to change their practices if they are to continue trading.

The executive said the rules did not impact directly on manufacturing or most of the service sector.

Health Minister Robin Swann said: “The coronavirus pandemic is affecting every one of us, and every aspect of public life. We think particularly of those who have lost loved ones to this virus.

“These emergency regulations are an essential component of the strategy to tackle the pandemic and will ensure a consistent approach across the four regions of the UK.

“The extreme disruption to normal life would have been unthinkable just a few short weeks ago. It is a price we all have to pay, to protect each other and the health service. Everyone has to take personal responsibility for their actions and to stick rigidly to these restrictions for as long as they are needed. It is a matter of life and death.”