Northern Ireland

Social media message about tightening of Covid restrictions in Northern Ireland branded 'bogus'

Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill. Picture by Damien Storan/PA Wire
Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill. Picture by Damien Storan/PA Wire Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill. Picture by Damien Storan/PA Wire

A social media message which claims there has been cross-party agreement on the "tightening" of Covid restrictions later this month has been branded "bogus".

Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill took to Twitter yesterday to describe the message, which has been circulating on social media, as "simply not true".

The message claims that following a meeting, a tightening of restrictions is to be announced.

These changes include the closure of hospitality at 11pm "immediately" and from December 15, only a group of four people being allowed at table "with all requiring double jabs".

In addition, the message states that sports crowds are going to be limited to 500 and that theatres and cinemas and schools, with the exception of special schools, are to close from December 15.

It further claims that foreign travel will be stopped between December 23 and December 28.

It then adds: "There are more details to emerge but it is expected the main restrictions will kick in on the 15th of December and last until the 4th of January.

"We expect a backlash on social media as this is against public opinion so could everyone please use their socials to show the benefits of these restrictions please and don't engage in any arguments".

Ms O'Neill took to Twitter yesterday to say the message was "bogus" and "simply not true".

"This is a sinister attempt to cause confusion and spread misinformation at a time when it is important that we all work together to reduce the spread of the virus," she wrote.