Northern Ireland tells people to ‘work from home’ as Covid cases rise across UK

Advice to gradually return to the office has been scrapped in Northern Ireland (Picture: AFP)

Northern Ireland has tightened up Covid restrictions, the latest sign the UK could be heading towards tougher measures.

Covid-19 cases are once again on the rise across the country and swathes or Europe are back under forms of lockdown.

The government in Westminster has resisted calls to introduce new measures to drive down infections but the devolved authority in Northern Ireland is acting now.

Official advice to encourage a return to offices has been scrapped, effectively amounting to a concession that home working for many is going to continue throughout the winter.

The Stormont power-sharing executive announced the change ahead of the planned rollout of vaccine passports for some venues from next week.

In a rare joint press conference, Northern Ireland’s parties called for a ‘reset’ of public attitudes to prevent any further locking down.

First minister Paul Givan said: ‘We’re not working on the basis of wanting to close down things. I want our hospitality to be open right through our Christmas period. I want to have people being able to open and to do so safely.

There has been bipartisan agreement across unionist and nationalist parties over strengthening Covid-19 guidance (Picture: PA)

‘There’s also a financial reality that there isn’t the furlough scheme, there isn’t the hundreds of millions coming from London that we were able to provide in that kind of financial support.’

Deputy first minister Michelle O’Neill said: ‘These certainly are uncertain times. 

‘But now’s the time for action and if we want to achieve the best possible outcome right now, then now is the time to act.

‘And this is our best chance actually at avoiding further instructions down the line.’

Fines for non-compliance with the certification scheme, which will also recognise a negative lateral flow test result or proof of a coronavirus infection within the previous six months, come into force on December 13.

With cases increasing in three quarters of the country, some are already making the case for further restrictions to drive down the infection rate before Christmas (Picture: AFP)

Of the 377 local areas in the UK, 284 (75%) have seen a week-on-week rise in rates, 89 (24%) have seen a fall and four are unchanged.

People in England have been advised to take a test before visiting crowded indoor spaces – which could include busy shops or Christmas parties.

People are also advised to take a test before visiting a person who is at higher risk of getting seriously ill from Covid-19 and get a PCR test if they have symptoms.

Previously the public was advised to use lateral flow tests twice-weekly.