Northern Ireland's schools, pubs, and restaurants to shut as Covid cases spike

Arlene Foster: 'The executive has taken this decision because it is necessary, we do not take this step lightly.'

The North is to enter a period of intensified coronavirus restrictions after the Stormont executive announced closures of schools, pubs, and restaurants.

Pubs and restaurants will close for four weeks, with the exception of takeaways and deliveries, while schools will close on Monday for two weeks, one of which will cover the half-term break.