Executive fails to clarify whether current NI covid restrictions end on Thursday or Friday amid claim of another gaffe

The Stormont Executive has failed to clarify when the current restrictions will end, amid suggestions that ministers have been giving the public incorrect information on the issue.
By Sam McBride
Published 11th Nov 2020, 22:47 BST
Updated 11th Nov 2020, 22:54 BST

Robin Swann, Pam Cameron, Gary Middleton, Alan Chambers, and even Jim Allister, have been among the many MLAs to say this week that the current four weeks of restrictions run out at midnight tonight.

However, on Tuesday night a lawyer contacted the News Letter to express concern at that advice to the public because he believed that the legislation which put those restrictions into law – The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (No. 2) (Amendment No. 9) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 – run until midnight on Friday.

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The lawyer said that the wording of the regulations, when read in conjunction with the Interpretation Act (NI) 1954, point to them applying until Friday night.

Yesterday morning the News Letter asked the Executive if it could clarify for the public when the law ceases to apply. At the time of going to press late last night, there had still been no response.

However, Stephen Kelly of Manufacturing NI said that he had been told by someone in Stormont Castle that the regulations run until 10.30pm on Friday.

But the Federation of Small Businesses said that it had been told by the Department of Health that the law expired at midnight on Thursday.

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Related topics:Stormont ExecutiveRobin SwannGary MiddletonMLAs