Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill is self-isolating after a family member tested positive for coronavirus
- Michelle O’Neill, who is being tested herself, will need to restrict her movements
- It means the deputy first minister will work remotely from her Co Tyrone house
- Other Stormont members will have to self isolate if O’Neill tests positive for virus
- It comes as the Stormont Executive continues to grapple with high Covid cases
Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister is self-isolating after a family member tested positive for Covid-19.
Michelle O’Neill, who is being tested herself, will need to restrict her movements for two weeks and work remotely from her Co Tyrone home.
It would only have potential self-isolating consequences for Ms O’Neill’s Stormont colleagues if the Sinn Fein vice president tests positive for the virus.
It comes as the Stormont Executive continues to grapple with high infection rates across the region.
The Derry and Strabane Council districts are one of the worst hit areas in the UK and Ireland.
Michelle O’Neill (pictured yesterday), who is being tested herself, will need to restrict her movements for two weeks and work remotely from her Co Tyrone home
Ministers moved on Thursday to increase fines for non-compliance with Covid-19 regulations.
The executive also extended the number of places where the wearing of face coverings will be compulsory.
But the powersharing administration stopped short of introducing any new restrictions on social gatherings or the hospitality industry.
A Sinn Fein spokesman said: ‘Joint head of government Michelle O’Neill has confirmed that she is being tested for coronavirus and is self-isolating after contact with a family member who has tested positive for Covid-19.
‘Michelle will continue to follow the public health advice and carry out her duties in Government remotely.’
As of Thursday, some 4,674 new cases of the virus had been confirmed in the region over a seven-day period.
It would only have potential self-isolating consequences for Ms O’Neill’s Stormont (pictured) colleagues if the Sinn Fein vice president tests positive for the virus
There were 120 people with Covid-19 being treated in hospital, 15 of whom are in intensive care, and 11 on ventilators.
Ministers continue to lobby the government for assurances further financial support will be forthcoming from the Treasury if Northern Ireland is forced into lockdown.
Ireland’s foreign affairs minister Simon Coveney said he raised the issue of funding with Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis during a meeting at Hillsborough Castle on Thursday afternoon.
Speaking on Friday morning, Mr Coveney said Mr Lewis assured him money was available to Stormont.
But Mr Coveney did not clarify if the Northern Ireland Secretary was referring to new money or already announced initiatives
He told RTE: ‘He assures me that finance is already available to the Executive in Northern Ireland and that finance from London shouldn’t be an obstacle to Northern Ireland doing what it needs to do to manage the spread of Covid.’