Summary

  • The number of people who have died with coronavirus in NI is now 329, according to the latest statistics

  • A further 20 deaths were announced on Tuesday

  • The total number of deaths in UK hospitals is 21,678, after a further 586 were announced on Tuesday

  • In the Republic of Ireland, a further 59 deaths were confirmed on Tuesday, bringing the total to 1,159

  • Trading Standards issue a number of enforcement notices to traders engaged in profiteering during the coronavirus outbreak

  1. Goodnight from uspublished at 23:44 BST 28 April 2020

    Thanks for staying with us today and following the latest developments in the battle against coronavirus in Northern Ireland.

    We'll be back tomorrow at 07:30 BST to keep you up to date.

    Goodnight and take care.

    Sunset over Belfast shipyardImage source, Getty Images/Stock image
    Image caption,

    Sunset over Belfast shipyard

  2. Spanish PM signals first move to "new normality"published at 22:49 BST 28 April 2020

    Spain has announced a four-phase plan to lift its stringent coronavirus lockdown and return to a "new normality" by the end of June.

    Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said each region would relax restrictions at a different pace, depending on the severity of its outbreak.

    Four Spanish islands will be first to ease measures from 4 May, with the rest of Spain following a week later.

    Spain's coronavirus outbreak has so far killed almost 24,000 people.

    Prime Minister Pedro SanchezImage source, AFP
    Image caption,

    Spain will lift its strict virus lockdown in four phases until the end of June, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said

  3. 'Thank you for playing your part'published at 22:31 BST 28 April 2020

    At today's Stormont press conference, Health Minister Robin Swann and Chief Medical Officer Dr Michael McBride stressed now was not the time to relax social distancing measures.

    The message still seems to be getting through in Derry City and Strabane, where police have tweeted their thanks to local people for continuing to adhere to restrictions.

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  4. Legislation to protect private renters passespublished at 22:22 BST 28 April 2020

    HomesImage source, Getty Images

    Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has thanked Assembly members for "swiftly passing" legislation to strengthen protection to private renters during the crisis.

    The Private Tenancies (Coronavirus Modifications) Bill was introduced into the Assembly on 21 April and had its final stage today.

    It will mean that landlords will be required to give tenants a 12-week 'notice to quit' period, ensuring tenancies are protected throughout this period.

    Ms Hargey said:“It was necessary to introduce measures to help prevent households having to leave their homes.

    “This legislation will protect private renters, securing their accommodation, allowing them to protect their health and reducing the movement of people.

    "It will enable vulnerable people to shield, self-isolate and social distance."

  5. Key developments todaypublished at 21:56 BST 28 April 2020

    Coronavirus labelImage source, Getty Images

    If you're just joining us, here are some of the key developments today.

    Another 20 people have died with coronavirus in Northern Ireland.

    That brings the total number of deaths to 329, although this figure, which relates mainly to hospital fatalities, is likely to rise.

    In the Republic of Ireland, 59 more people have died, with the number of deaths there now standing at 1,159.

    Coronavirus deaths in hospitals across the UK, have reached 21,678 - a rise of 586 from Monday.

    In other developments:

    • The chief medical officer in NI says coronavirus testing has been significantly ramped up in Northern Ireland
    • Health minister Robin Swann repeated the warning that we are on a "knife edge" in our battle with the virus
    • Charities "will face a time of reckoning" after the crisis, according to the NI Council for Voluntary Action (NICVA)
    • There have been four domestic killings in NI since the start of the lockdown, the justice minister says
    • The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland has been investigating hundreds of complaints about workplace safety
    • Trading Standards has issued a number of enforcement notices to traders engaged in profiteering

  6. SDLP angry at council's job cuts planpublished at 21:46 BST 28 April 2020

    SDLP representatives have raised concerns after Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council announced plans to reduce its workforce as a result of the Covid-19 crisis.

    MLA Matthew O’Toole has written to Finance Minister Conor Murphy asking him to issue "urgent guidance on the ability of public sector organisations to access the Job Retention Scheme and to outline additional support for local government".

    Mr O'Toole said it was "an appalling situation".

    "Staff at this council should not be facing losing their jobs in the middle of this crisis when the UK government has implemented schemes that offer wage subsidy," he added.

    The party said SDLP councillors on Antrim and Newtownabbey Council refused to endorse the plans.

  7. Clubs to assess FAI proposal to returnpublished at 21:30 BST 28 April 2020

    League of Ireland gameImage source, Inpho

    League of Ireland clubs will assess a proposal by the Football Association of Ireland for a safe return to action behind closed doors.

    Niall Quinn, interim deputy CEO of the FAI, said the document "offers a real platform for debate".

    He added the Irish government has the final say on when and how football returns.

    Quinn said the FAI is committed to giving "the best financial proposition available" to clubs and players.

    Read more on this story here.

  8. British Airways to cut up to 12,000 jobspublished at 21:07 BST 28 April 2020

    British Airways planesImage source, Getty Images

    More bad news from the world of business tonight as it emerges that British Airways is set to cut up to 12,000 jobs from its 42,000-strong workforce due to a collapse in business because of the coronavirus pandemic.

    The airline's parent company, IAG, said it needed to impose a "restructuring and redundancy programme" until demand for air travel returns to 2019 levels.

    The pilots' union Balpa said it was "devastated" at the news and vowed to fight "every single" job cut.

    IAG also owns Spanish airline Iberia and Ireland's Aer Lingus.

    Read more on this story here.

  9. 'IVF is on hold and we don't know where we stand'published at 20:43 BST 28 April 2020

    Sara Girvin
    BBC News NI

    Sarah Patterson

    As the health service focuses on the Covid-19 pandemic, many medical procedures have been put on hold - including fertility treatment.

    IVF has been postponed in Northern Ireland, as is the case in the rest of the United Kingdom.

    Sarah Patterson and her husband were told that IVF could help them conceive at the end of last year.

    They are now awaiting a date for it to start, but the postponement means it's delayed indefinitely.

    Read more on this story here.

  10. UK contact-tracing app 'ready in two to three weeks'published at 20:25 BST 28 April 2020

    Rory Cellan-Jones
    Technology correspondent

    Building a coronavirus contact-tracing app that might help the UK emerge from lockdown has been a titanic effort - and it has largely taken place in private.

    But now the NHS chief responsible has told MPs he hopes the first version will be ready in a fortnight's time.

    Matthew Gould also disclosed plans to log the location of whenever two or more people are in close proximity for minutes at a time.

    AppImage source, Getty Images

    That will disturb privacy campaigners.

    However, NHSX - the health service's digital innovation unit - has told BBC News this extra request will be "opt in" rather than the default setting.

    Read more

  11. Swann provides details on Covid-19 testingpublished at 20:13 BST 28 April 2020

    MoT test centre in BelfastImage source, Pacemaker

    Health Minister Robin Swann has provided some more detail on the expansion of Covid-19 testing in Northern Ireland.

    Mr Swann says "testing is not and should never be regarded as a silver bullet", but he says "it is a vital part of our weaponry and will continue to be so".

    He says the expansion of testing includes:

    • A programme of testing and surveillance in general practice, which started at the end of last week
    • A rolling programme of testing and surveillance in emergency departments, which starts this week
    • Testing of patients who are admitted to hospital for emergency or elective care
    • Testing of all residents and staff in any care home identified as having a potential outbreak or cluster of infection
    • Testing of all patients being discharged from acute hospital care to a care home
    • Testing of all patients/residents being transferred into a care home from any setting, whether that be from hospital, supported living or directly from their own home
    • The UK-wide staff testing programme has now been extended to cover key workers in other sectors as well as those in health and social care
    • This testing is available at three drive-through locations in Northern Ireland – SSE Arena car park in Belfast, City of Derry Rugby Club and Craigavon MOT centre. Trusts are also continuing to provide testing for health and social care staff as part of their in-house testing provision
  12. NI Football League must submit restart plan by 25 Maypublished at 19:58 BST 28 April 2020

    Footballs

    Uefa has given the Northern Ireland Football League a deadline of 25 May to submit its plan for the restart of the Northern Ireland football season.

    NIFL issued an update today on the directives it has received from Uefa.

    Entry to Uefa club competitions will be "based on sporting merit" and all national organisations have been urged to do all they can to "bring competitions to a natural end".

    Football in Northern Ireland is currently suspended until 31 May.

    "It remains impossible to commit to a date when competitions could resume," NIFL's statement said.

    "This will continue to depend on the evolution of the Covid-19 pandemic and the guidance from the UK Government and health authorities, but most importantly when it is safe for everyone to return to a sporting arena."

    Read more on this story here.

  13. Breaking down the Republic of Ireland's figurespublished at 19:44 BST 28 April 2020

    There have now been a total of 19,877 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the Republic of Ireland.

    In the past 24 hours, 59 more Covid-linked deaths brought the country's total to 1,159.

    covidImage source, Getty Images

    Figures up to midnight on Sunday show that of the country's confirmed cases:

    • 58% are female and 42% are male
    • The median age is 49
    • 2,638 (14%) have been hospitalised
    • Of those hospitalised, 358 have been admitted to ICU
    • 5,414 are associated with healthcare workers·
    • Dublin has the highest number at 9,624 (50%) followed by Kildare with 1,147 (6%) and then Cork with 1,126 (6%)
    • Of those for whom transmission status is known: community transmission accounts for 63%, close contact accounts for 33%, travel abroad accounts for 3%
  14. Council set to reduce its workforcepublished at 19:22 BST 28 April 2020

    Kevin Sharkey
    BBC News NI

    Job SearchImage source, Getty Images

    Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has announced plans to reduce its workforce because of the Covid-19 crisis.

    The plan relates to 73 agency and short-term workers.

    In a statement, the council says that due to "social distancing measures put in place to try and reduce the spread and impact of Covid-19", it has been "required to close or reduce most facilities and activities".

    It adds that it "is experiencing a significant reduction in its income".

    It says an Emergency Financial Plan was agreed at a council meeting yesterday.

    "Given our reduced operating requirements, it is proposed to decrease by 73 the number of agency and short service staff, that are not essential to the operations of the council at this time," the council says.

    "These proposals are subject to trade union consultation.

    "We recognise that this will have a significant impact on those directly affected and it is not a decision that the council has taken lightly.

    "However, having exhausted other options, the council believes this urgent action is required to ensure financial stability as it streamlines services within a declining budget while safeguarding our front line services and maintaining future rate rises at an affordable level for residents.”

  15. A more detailed look at NI statisticspublished at 19:03 BST 28 April 2020

    The number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 rose by 34 in Northern Ireland in the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 3,408.

    There have been outbreaks in 69 NI care homes.

    The Department of Health figures show that there are 790 Covid-19 hospital inpatients, while 3,203 people have been discharged from hospital.

    coronaImage source, Getty Images

    Thirty-four ICU beds are occupied by confirmed or suspected Covid patients. Thirty-six ICU beds remain available.

    A total of 1,301 hospital beds remain unoccupied.

  16. Charities 'will face a time of reckoning'published at 18:48 BST 28 April 2020

    Seamus McAleavey

    Charities "will face a time of reckoning" after the coronavirus crisis, according to the NI Council for Voluntary Action (Nicva).

    Its chief executive Seamus McAleavey told BBC News NI charities were "trying their best to cope" with an immediate loss of many fundraising streams.

    He warned some could face a "slow uphill climb" after the pandemic.

    St John Ambulance is among those under threat, a volunteer said today.

    Read more on this story here.

  17. Domestic violence and abuse information and supportpublished at 18:30 BST 28 April 2020

    Domestic abuseImage source, Getty Images

    If you, or someone you know, have been affected by domestic abuse or violence, the following organisations may be able to help.

    If you are in immediate danger, you should dial 999.

    • The 24 Hour Domestic & Sexual Violence Helpline (Northern Ireland) - Phone: 0808 802 1414, external
    • National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Domestic Violence helpline - Phone: 0800 999 5428, external
    • Victim Support NI - Phone: 028 9024 3133
    • The National Domestic Abuse Helpline - Phone: 0808 2000 247
    • Childline - Phone: 0800 1111

    You can find more information by clicking here.

  18. Four domestic homicides in NI since Covid-19 lockdownpublished at 18:17 BST 28 April 2020

    Justice Minister Naomi Long has told the NI Assembly there have been four domestic homicides in Northern Ireland since the introduction of lockdown measures.

    The MLA for East Belfast was speaking at a Stormont discussion of the Domestic Abuse Bill, saying she has spoken to many victims who were the driving force behind the bill.

    Naomi Long

    The minister said it was important for people suffering abuse during the Covid-19 lockdown to know that they are not alone.

    "Calls to the 24-hour domestic and sexual abuse helpline have increased by around 52% since the start of the lockdown period, 70% increased the week before last," she said.

    "There is a person behind every one of those statistics."

    Victims who are reporting abuse but are unable to speak due to the presence of the abuser can call 999 and then press 55 to alert the police that they are in danger.

  19. 59 more deaths in the Republic of Irelandpublished at 18:02 BST 28 April 2020

    Fifty-nine more people have died in the Republic of Ireland after being diagnosed with Covid-19, the Irish Department of Health says.

    It brings the total number of people in the country who have died following a coronavirus diagnosis to 1,159.

  20. Royal Mail suspends Saturday letter deliveriespublished at 17:52 BST 28 April 2020

    Royal Mail has announced that from 2 May it will not deliver letters on Saturdays.

    Most parcels - including all tracked parcels - and special delivery items will still be delivered on Saturdays.

    Royal MailImage source, PA Media

    Kellin McCloskey of the Consumer Council, said they understood "this is a challenging time for all delivery key workers across Northern Ireland.

    "We recognise the great work of Royal Mail staff at this time, when consumers are more reliant than ever on their deliveries.

    “The change to withdrawing letter delivery on a Saturday should have minimal impact on consumers, but will allow Royal Mail the ability to better manage its network given the problems it is facing with corona-related absences and necessary social distancing."