The Ulster Unionist Party’s Justice Spokesperson, Doug Beattie MC MLA, has stated his Party’s support for the PSNI having the same powers as the police in England and Wales to detain people affected by coronavirus who are unwilling to self-quarantine.
Doug Beattie MC MLA said:
“Northern Ireland needs to have the same powers as the rest of the United Kingdom.
“This would relate to a situation whereby a person suspected of having coronavirus refused to follow the instructions of the Public Health Agency. This is a matter of public safety.
“We cannot have these powers in one part of the United Kingdom and not another. Indeed I would be very surprised if the Irish Republic is not thinking along very similar lines.”