More NI businesses forced to close as staff test positive

Dear reader
The coronavirus restrictions affecting funeral services led to a very different kind of farewell on Wednesday for what you would traditionally expect for a huge political figure like John Hume.
In normal circumstances, thousands of people would have lined the streets of Londonderry to pay their respects to the former SDLP leader, who died on Monday.
A funeral service was held at St Eugene’s Cathedral in the city, and while leading figures including Arlene Foster, Secretary of State Brandon Lewis and Taoiseach Micheál Martin were in attendance, the cathedral was nowhere near full, with social distancing impeccably observed.
The dignity shown by the family was beautifully described here in an article written by our political editor Sam McBride.
Co Down has already been the scene of several outbreaks of Covid-19 and one of the town’s best known destinations, Kent Amusements, has been forced to close temporarily.
In a post on Facebook, the business confirmed that a number of its employees have tested positive for Covid-19. It will remain closed until further notice.
Bon Bon, a well-known sweet shop in the centre of Newcastle, has also closed. Management there said that one member of staff has tested positive for the virus.
Northern Ireland reported 10 new infections on Wednesday, which is an increase of two on the previous day. However, there have been no more deaths related to the virus, which means the Department of Health has not recorded a Covid-19 related death here for 23 days.

Stay safe
Alistair Bushe
Editor

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