Coronavirus: Damage to NI economy runs very deep, says Diane Dodds

Speaking at the daily Stormont coronavirus briefing Mrs Dodds added: “While I cannot promise that every business or every job will be saved, I will do all in my power to protect the incomes and support families and communities across Northern Ireland.

“We will get through this, and when we do I believe the measures we have put in place will not only protect livelihoods, but will support businesses to begin the process of recovery.”

Mrs Dodds also said there have been 2,400 applications for a £25,000 grant which was made available to businesses on Monday.

“I encourage those who consider themselves eligible to apply as soon as possible.

“I can assure them that as soon as applications have been verified, the grant will be paid.”

In the two weeks since a separate £10,000 support grant was opened, the minister says 17,100 small businesses have received payments.

At the briefing it was revealed that there had been 13 further Covid-19 deaths in Northern Ireland, taking the total to 263.

Stormont Finance Minister Conor Murphy said: “I would like to offer my sympathies to the families.”

Mr Murphy also addressed the question of when to end the lockdown.

“We are responsible for setting our own regulations and we have our own set of circumstances.

“We are an island which has had a roughly similar experience across the entirety of the island.”

He said the public’s behaviour had been “exemplary”.