Call for strict enforcement of new COVID-19 measures

Kieran McCausland said: “It is patently clear that these measures do not go far enough to stop the spread of infection particularly when there is still no all-island response to the crisis.

“While the majority of the public have been compliant to wearing facemasks and upholding the rules and guidelines sadly a small number of people in our communities have refused to comply and as a result have recklessly put the lives of themselves and others at risk.

“It is the duty of the Executive to enforce these rules as stringently as possible. There can be no more room for excuses for noncompliance, we all have a duty to protect our communities and do what we can to ensure public health and safety is maintained.

“We would call for the Assembly to stick to their word that anyone who is found to be without a face mask or breaking the rules in any way without a valid reason will be fined and penalised heavily.

“The middle of a pandemic is not the time for political point scoring, it is about the necessity to protect all our citizens. We would call on Stormont to remember that the health and safety of our citizens is what is important and urge them to stick to their promise to enforce the rules vigorously.

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