Coronavirus: DUP table new Covid-19 proposals to executive

DUP minister Diane Dodds has tabled proposals to the executive seeking to reach "general consensus" on Covid-19 restrictions, BBC News NI understands.

The parties have been divided over advice to extend all the restrictions for two more weeks.

Ministers began meeting late on Tuesday, after earlier discussions were postponed.

The hospitality sector is waiting to find out whether it can resume trading on Friday after a four-week shutdown.

The current restrictions are due to end at midnight on Thursday.

A number of DUP backbench MLAs have previously vocally opposed the coronavirus regulations agreed by the power-sharing executive, which the DUP jointly leads with Sinn Féin.

Despite a number of meetings this week, ministers have not yet been able to decide what should replace them.

Health Minister Robin Swann had brought his own paper to the executive last week, which recommended keeping all the restrictions in place for another fortnight.

It is understood the paper was brought to a vote on Tuesday night, but the DUP used its cross-community veto to block the proposals.

Mrs Dodds' paper suggests close-contact services such as hair and beauty salons can reopen on Friday, by appointment.

It also proposes allowing unlicensed premises such as cafes and coffee shops to reopen on Friday, but licensed restaurants would remain closed until 27 November.

BBC News NI understands that the paper also stresses the need for increased visibility of police environmental health officers to manage enforcement.

Mrs Dodds has previously said she did not want the restrictions to be extended, as it could further damage the economy.

It is understood she still holds this view, but recognises that the executive must agree a compromise.

It is also understood that a "safely open group" could be established if ministers agree the plans, that would cover hospitality.

Earlier, the executive was accused of "letting businesses down by the hour" by delaying a decision on extending coronavirus restrictions.

DUP MLA Paul Frew accused Stormont ministers of causing an "act of vandalism" to hospitality firms.

Mr Frew, who has openly criticised his party's decision-making on the coronavirus regulations before, told the assembly on Tuesday that the delay in announcing a decision was "unbelievable".

"This is a tremendously harsh time for businesses and yet this executive is causing an act of vandalism to those businesses," he said during a debate on the Budget Bill.

"It is a shameful position to be in.

"It is an act of vandalism to not be able to tell a business on the Tuesday that they can open up for sure on the Friday, that they can fill up their fridge, bring in their stock and pay their supply line - it's no way to run a business and no way to run an executive.

"It's an absolute farce we are letting so many people down, who just want to earn a decent living and who provide so much."

What do you want to know about the latest coronavirus restrictions in Northern Ireland?

Business reporter Richard Morgan joins Jordan Kenny live on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT here on the BBC News NI website to explain the latest developments and to answer your questions.

Earlier, Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard said he believed the DUP had been "too strident," by suggesting the restrictions would not remain in place longer than four weeks.

"Arlene (Foster) put herself on a hook by saying at an early stage that these restrictions would come to an end before progress was made," he told BBC Radio Ulster's Talkback programme.

"Good progress is being made, but from our point of view it would be reckless now to throw it all away."

He said there was a case to be made for reopening hair and beauty salons, but that restrictions on hospitality should remain in place for another fortnight, as health officials initially recommended.

Alison Canney, owner of the Spaghetti Junction restaurant in Londonderry, said they are undecided whether they would reopen at all if a limit or a ban is placed on alcohol sales.

Speaking to BBC Radio Foyle, the Derry business owner said: "It is doable but is it the same? I don't think so.

"People come out to relax and unwind. It's an experience. It's not like alcohol is essential, but people like a glass of wine with an Italian meal."

Hair and beauty salons have also been closed since 16 October.

Beautician Carolyn McCauley said First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill needed to "put on their big girl pants and make decisions".

"At this stage, it's simply not good enough," she said.

"They've had four weeks to make these decisions and now here we are, at the 11th hour, and there's still no decision."

Speaking in the assembly ahead of the executive meeting, First Minister Arlene Foster said she hoped "consensus can be achieved" on Tuesday.

"We're in a five-party coalition... many other governments in the United Kingdom and in the British-Irish Council do not have to deal with differing political philosophies and ways forward but we will work together," she said.

"We have a determination to work together to find a solution and that will happen hopefully today."

Michael Cafolla, who runs a large cafe in Newtownards, County Down, called on the executive to "consult with people on the coal face of this industry, look at the evidence and make sure that the evidence backs up the decisions that are made".

Speaking on the BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme, he said there had been "no direction, leadership or consistent messaging" for businesses.

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said his party supports extending all of the restrictions for an extra fortnight, to reduce the possibility of further interventions before Christmas.

"We need to look beyond short-term decision making and ensure we achieve a safe Christmas by driving down Covid-19 now," he said.

Alliance deputy leader Stephen Farry said the executive "absolutely does need" to take a decision on Tuesday.

"It would be wrong if the clock was allowed to run down on this and we saw the restrictions almost disappearing by default," he said.