The level of funding at its disposal to compensate businesses is one of the factors Northern Ireland’s power-sharing Executive will consider as it discusses measures to tackle increased Covid-19 infection rates.

The level of funding at its disposal to compensate businesses is one of the factors Northern Ireland’s power-sharing Executive will consider as it discusses measures to tackle increased Covid-19 infection rates.
New restrictions now apply in the Derry and Strabane area but compensation measures to help affected business are not yet in place.
For several successive days, Northern Ireland’s Covid-19 infection numbers have been higher than the rates south of the border. It is currently the pandemic hotspot on the island of Ireland.
Its reported infection rates are currently more than double the figures over the border.
The increased restrictions introduced in the Derry and Strabane area are broadly similar to the Level 3 conditions now operating in all parts of the South.
One of the decisions facing Stormont ministers is whether the Derry and Strabane measures should be extended to other areas like Newry and Mourne and Belfast, where infection rates are rising.
The Executive, including Finance Minster, Sinn Féin’s Conor Murphy, has limited funds at its disposal.
So far, no special measures have been announced for Derry and Strabane.
Requests to London for additional money are continuing.
In the meantime, the Executive policy may be to encourage more widespread adherence to existing guidelines and regulations rather than introduce new ones.