Health officials urge Stormont to take ‘urgent and decisive’ lockdown action

Health Minister Robin Swann during a press conference in Parliament Building, Stormont, to discuss the latest coronavirus situation (PressEye/PA)

Senior health officials have urged Stormont ministers to take “urgent and decisive” action to stem spiralling coronavirus infections in Northern Ireland.

It is understood the UK's chief medical officer Dr Michael McBride and chief scientific adviser Professor Ian Young have recommended the introduction of a region-wide lockdown lasting for between four to six weeks.