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Northern Ireland should act to protect against travelers from Britain spreading coronavirus, Stormont\u2019s deputy first minister has said.<\/p>\nNorthern Ireland should act to protect against travelers from Britain spreading coronavirus, Stormont\u2019s deputy first minister has said.<\/p>\n
British visitors are expected to quarantine for 14 days when they arrive in the Republic of Ireland.<\/p>\n
First Minister Arlene Foster wants to preserve free movement for the sake of business and family life but her power-sharing deputy, Michelle O\u2019Neill, urged the alignment of rules north and south of the Border.<\/p>\n
The Sinn F\u00e9in vice-president said: \u201cIt is my view that, given that this is where the biggest risk comes from, we need to act on that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Probably the biggest risk to us is travel from Britain. It is something I am concerned about<\/p>\n
Ms O\u2019Neill said she intended to discuss the matter with fellow Stormont ministers and the island of Ireland needed to act as one unit.<\/p>\n
She added: \u201cThe community transmission there is so much higher.<\/p>\n
\u201cProbably the biggest risk to us is travel from Britain. It is something I am concerned about.\u201d<\/p>\n
She held talks with fellow devolved leaders in Scotland and Wales on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The number of deaths recorded in Northern Ireland remains at 556, according to the latest report on Monday.<\/p>\n
The infection threat has been driven down over recent weeks.<\/p>\n
DUP leader Mrs Foster was asked whether a recent call by Sinn F\u00e9in president Mary Lou McDonald for all people entering the island of Ireland to self-quarantine indicated a difference of opinion at the heart of the power-sharing executive.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have to be driven by the science and advice we are given, we\u2019re also very clear that we are in a common travel area and we respect that common travel area,\u201d Mrs Foster replied.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Republic of Ireland has decided to go on a different route and they don\u2019t respect the common travel area, that\u2019s a matter for them.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I think it is important for business, for family life, for social life, for political life, let\u2019s face it, as well, that we continue to have the UK working together and making sure we can have that travel across the United Kingdom.\u201d<\/p>\n
There are around 60 countries on Northern Ireland\u2019s safe travel list, but there are expected to be fewer on the Republic\u2019s list when it is published.<\/p>\n
Only countries that have a coronavirus infection rate the same or lower than Ireland will be included on the list.<\/p>\n
People crossing the border from Northern Ireland are not subject to restrictions on their movement.<\/p>\n
The DUP leader was asked about the different approaches on both sides of the Border.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have always had differences as we work through Covid but I think the important thing is we\u2019ve always communicated with each other, we\u2019ve always understood why those decisions have been taken,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe decisions are taken around our travel regulations on the advice from the chief medical officer (Dr Michael McBride) working in the \u2018four nations\u2019 approach across the UK, so there\u2019s an understanding as to why that is the case.\u201d<\/p>\n