THE PSNI last night said "discussions are ongoing" with government officials about securing powers for officers to respond to the coronavirus outbreak.
It comes after police chief constable Simon Byrne said on Thursday that he was in talks with Stormont's Justice Department about securing bolstered powers to allow officers to detain affected people who might be unwilling to quarantine themselves.
Mr Byrne also said police in Northern Ireland may face 12-hour shifts and cancelled rest days if coronavirus has a serious impact on staffing levels.
Speaking during a meeting of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, he said contingency plans are in place if high numbers of officers are struck down by the disease.
The police chief also said he hoped powers handed to police in England in enabling officers to act if members are unwilling to quarantine themselves could be replicated in Northern Ireland.
In a statement yesterday, PSNI chief superintendent Sam Donaldson said talks are ongoing about "what may be required of policing in Northern Ireland".
"We are working with our partners across government to support the response to Covid-19 Coronavirus," he said.
"This is a rapidly developing situation and we continue to take a lead from the government and our Public Health partners.
"In answering a number of questions on Covid-19 at the Policing Board yesterday, the chief constable talked about powers available to police officers in England and Wales that could be used if required to support public health agencies reduce the spread of Covid-19.
"Similar powers are currently not available in Northern Ireland. Discussions are ongoing with the government officials in relation to what may be required of policing in Northern Ireland.
"It is important to make preparations but it also important to maintain perspective in the face of this challenge.
"While we are not anticipating a worst-case scenario, we are preparing for it, as the community would want us to do.
"Any action undertaken by police in response to Covid-19 will be in line with our legal responsibilities and will be used to protect life and keep our communities safe."
