Northern Ireland implements new strict lockdown rules amid rising cases

Schools, pubs and restaurants will close in Northern Ireland from Friday in a new wave of "necessary" coronavirus restrictions announced today by the first minister.

Arlene Foster set out the details of the partial lockdown in a Stormont assembly sitting as rates of COVID-19 infections soar in the region. This counters recommendations from the chief medical officer and chief scientific adviser for a four to six-week lockdown.

The leader of the DUP told the assembly: "We do not take this step lightly."

This comes as yesterday, the department of health in Northern Ireland recorded 6,286 news infections in the past week.

The new rules will be in effect for nearly a month, apart from schools which will be closed for only two weeks.

The main points of the regulations include:

• Bubbles of people reduced to ten and overnight stays are only allowed if people are within that bubble.

• While the hospitality sector closes, deliveries will remain open.

• Alcohol from off-licences and supermarket cannot be sold after 8 pm.

• Places of worship will stay open, but face masks are required when entering and leaving.

• Close-contact services are to stop, apart from essential health services.