NI enforced social-distancing to be announced imminently

Measures allowing the authorities in Northern Ireland to enforce social-distancing are to be deployed imminently, according to Health Minister, Robin Swann.
Andrew Quinn
By Andrew Quinn
Published 23rd Mar 2020, 13:15 BST
Updated 23rd Mar 2020, 13:17 BST
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In an interview with the BBC on Monday afternoon, Mr. Swann said the issue of enforced social distancing was to be discussed at an emergency Cobra meeting which will be chaired by Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, later.

Mr. Swann said the measures would include the closure of all "non-essential shops" so to allow the government to slow down the speed at which COVID-19 is infecting people throughout the UK.

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The comments come less than 24 hours after people all over the United Kingdom ignored government social-distancing advice to stay at least two metres away from others no matter where you are.

There is a fear that should people continue to ignore expert advice on social distancing the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the UK will increase drastically. (Photo: PA Wire)There is a fear that should people continue to ignore expert advice on social distancing the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the UK will increase drastically. (Photo: PA Wire)
There is a fear that should people continue to ignore expert advice on social distancing the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the UK will increase drastically. (Photo: PA Wire)

People are "not seriously weighing up the seriousness of the situation we are currently in" said Mr. Swann.

It is not yet clear how the authorities in Northern Ireland would enforce such measures but in recent weeks it has been suggested the PSNI could receive powers to detain anyone, with a suspected case of COVID-19, refusing to cooperate with healthcare professionals.

Related topics:Robin SwannNorthern IrelandBoris JohnsonBBCCovid-19PSNI