
DAERA Minister Edwin Poots has announced that College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (CAFRE) is ceasing face-to-face delivery of all education programmes as part of the broader effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The cessation of face-to-face classes at all campuses will become effective from today, 23 March, bringing CAFRE into line with […]
Mar 23 2020 | Posted in
Coronavirus |
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“As the scale of the Covid19 crisis unfolds, everyone is being asked to follow the rules on social distancing.” That is the message from Health Minister Robin Swann. He said, “It seems the social distancing message has not landed yet with everybody. So let me repeat the warning. “The very same virus that […]
Mar 23 2020 | Posted in
Coronavirus |
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Over five thousand people have watched a YouTube broadcast by Rostrevor man Mark Hughes, something he decided to livestream in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. Over 800 people took part in the first ‘Big Nerd Pub Quiz’ which was broadcast from Mark Hughes’s bedroom at his family home in Rostrevor. The online pub […]

Latest update on coronavirus (Covid-19) As of 2pm on Monday 23 March, testing has resulted in 20 new positive cases. This brings the total number of confirmed cases in Northern Ireland to 148. To date, two people who tested positive have sadly died. The total number of tests completed in Northern Ireland is […]

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging people to follow the advice on social distancing as an essential part of slowing the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and saving lives. Speaking to Newry Times, Dr Hugo Van Woerden, Director of Public Health at the PHA, said, “I cannot emphasise enough how important it is to practise […]
Mar 23 2020 | Posted in
Coronavirus |
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Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has announced that she is providing £200,000 match funding to Community Foundation NI’s (CFNI) Coronavirus Community Fund. The new fund is being used to support older people and other issues emerging from coronavirus. Grants of £1,000 are available, however, applications for up to £2,500 of emergency funding to community […]
Mar 23 2020 | Posted in
Coronavirus |
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In consultation with the Justice Minister Naomi Long MLA, the Director-General of the Northern Ireland Prison Service has announced that he has reluctantly taken the decision to suspend all visits to prisons from Monday 23 March. Ronnie Armour said, “The safety of everyone in our prisons is paramount. “As decisions have been made […]
Mar 23 2020 | Posted in
Coronavirus |
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The Police Service of Northern Ireland is urging the public to be on their guard against cold callers and scammers who continue to prey on the community by taking advantage of householders, even during the COVID 19 pandemic. Speaking to Newry Times, Chief Superintendent Simon Walls said, “Unfortunately, during these unprecedented times there are still […]

Sinn Féin MP for Newry and Armagh Mickey Brady has called on young people to act responsibly and to join the community effort against COVID19. Speaking to Newry Times, the local MP said, “I have received numerous reports of significant numbers of young people gathering in public spaces. “I would appeal directly to […]
Mar 23 2020 | Posted in
Coronavirus |
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DAERA Minister Edwin Poots MLA has temporarily closed some public-facing facilities at DAERA-owned forests, country parks, nature reserves and fisheries offices until the end of May 2020. In line with recent COVID-19 advice on social distancing, facilities such as camping amenities, museums, mobile concessions and visitor centres will be closed at all sites from today, […]
Mar 23 2020 | Posted in
Coronavirus |
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