Coronavirus: Social distancing could be here for months or even years yet, says Arlene Foster of Covid-19 pandemic

She was speaking after the Department of Health revealed 18 more Coronavirus related deaths in Northern Ireland yesterday, taking the total number to 393, as determined by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency.

“We appreciate that six weeks on from the original lockdown announcement the public’s patience has been tested,” she said in a joint press conference with Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill.

“We are grateful to the vast majority of you who have been doing exactly what we asked you to do.

“We know that you are desperate to get back to the life that you had before. Grandparents long to hug their grandchildren… however as strong as that desire may be, we also need to be realistic and as we head into another weekend we have to stay home as much as possible. Please respect the social distancing advice and wash your hands thoroughly. The danger of Covid-19 cases spiking again is still very real.” She urged people not to gamble with their lives or those over others.

Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill said there has been a lot of speculation on when lockdown rules may be relaxed.

“We need to be realistic about what we’re living through, we need to accept that Covid-19 could be here for some considerable time to come,” she said. “And it’s important to realise that no relaxation of the current measures is without risk.

“There will be no single turning point or sweeping changes to the regulations, she said, but added: but we also understand that people want to see light at the end of the tunnel.

“Next week we will publish our pathway to recovery.” Ms O’Neill added the pathway will be “criteria-led”, not “calendar-led”.

After it was revealed yesterday that 40% of all Covid-19-related deaths in NI to date had happened in care homes, Mrs Foster acknowledged that hospital virus deaths are falling while care home deaths are rising. However the figures are similar across the British Isles and health trust staff are now helping address the issue, she added. The Irish government yesterday allowed people over 70 to start leaving home for exercise, however Ms O’Neill said NI could not yet do so due to “sound medical advice”.

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