Ulster Unionist Leader, Steve Aiken OBE MLA, said:
“The Prime Minister made it clear this evening that we are far from over this pandemic and that in the new ‘Alert’ system he announced tonight, we are at 4 on a 5 point scale. He also iterated that as a nation, we have all together helped reduce the infection rate dramatically.
“However the R rate, the deciding factor, is in many places including Northern Ireland, just below 1. The spread of the virus is at different stages in different parts of the UK. We don’t control the virus, but we can hinder its spread and rate of infection by the actions we take. Northern Ireland along with other regions of the United Kingdom will be taking the same measures, but as the threat allows, based on the best medical and scientific advice that affects us all.
“It is our strong belief that now is not the time to change the message or direction - until the R rate is reduced. We must continue to keep staying home, keep protecting our NHS & above all, keep saving lives.
“Health Minister Robin Swann will take the decisions that are right for the people of Northern Ireland at the right time.”