First Minister asks public to ‘stay apart today’ on occasion families traditionally come together

Speaking on Saint Patrick’s Day, an occasion when families and communities traditionally come together, the DUP leader said NI leaders are

“concerned that people will come together in places throughout Northern Ireland”.

She said that the PSNI will be monitoring areas of NI today given the date and the weather.

Speaking on BBC’s Good Morning Ulster she said: “Please give some thought to what you are doing today”.

She added that it was “another sacrifice but we are moving into relaxation”.

She added that “Police have assured me there will be an increased police presence across Northern Ireland today.

“They are doing that to provide reassurance and also to say to people that they should stay apart today.”

Mrs Foster added that “we have to keep the virus under control” and that we still have to “protect out services in healthcare system”.

She defended the decision to allow families to meet over the Christmas period after which the latest lockdown was announced and said: “what we did at Christmas was shared across British Isles and the entirey of executive agreed on it”.

She added that “if we had not allowed that people would have done it anyway”.

Today Mrs Foster and deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill are expected to hold a virtual call with Vice President Kamala Harris – a meeting that may also involve an appearance from President Biden.

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