Health service staff have rallied to this challenge

After a decade of deep cutbacks they are faced with the worst health crisis in living memory and have rallied magnificently to the challenge of the coronavirus pandemic.

In response, everyone in Northern Ireland must play their part in helping our health service heroes by conforming to proper social isolation.

There should be no further casual, irresponsible indifference to the crisis.

Citizens can save lives by staying at home.

In addition government must immediately do everything to ensure that our nurses, doctors and cleaners are given all the proper equipment they need to protect them from infection.

Government may also be justified in imposing stricter measures to maximise public safety.

Andrew Ward, Press Officer, Labour Left Alliance Northern Ireland Labour Party Northern Ireland Member