House parties persist across NI - Forty people a day receiving Covid penalty notices

Around 40 people a day are receiving Covid-19 penalty notices in Northern Ireland as house parties persist during lockdown.

Arlene Foster said it was unbelievable that some “reckless” individuals were still letting their hair down despite the pandemic emergency and post-Christmas restrictions on socialising.

PSNI chief constable Simon Byrne pledged his force would knock on the doors of anyone “blatantly” breaking the rules.

Stormont’s First Minister said: “We are all now partners in protecting people and preventing a greater loss of life.”

She added: “I find it incredible, frankly unbelievable, that people are still holding house parties at this time when the rest of us are fighting hard to give the rest of us a chance to live.”

She said police officers also have a role to put a stop to “reckless behaviour”.

Mr Byrne said the vast majority were complying with the rules.

He warned if people were breaking the regulations and having parties they could expect “firm and swift” enforcement.

He added: “We won’t turn a blind eye when people break the rules.”

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