20/03/2020

Other News In Brief

Covid 19: Nine New Cases Confirmed In NI

Nine new cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Northern Ireland.

The figure brings the total to 86 as of 2pm on Friday 20 March.

One person has lost their life to the virus. The patient, who was elderly and had underlying medical conditions, passed away at a hospital in greater Belfast.

Anyone with mild symptoms such as a new persistent cough or fever is urged to stay at home and self-isolate. Such individuals will not require testing.

Public transport services across Northern Ireland are being scaled back from Monday, as school prepare to close their doors this afternoon.

Weddings No Longer Facilitated At Belfast City Hall

Belfast City Council has announced that weddings and civil ceremonies can no longer be facilitated at City Hall.

The decision also applies to ceremonies at Belfast Castle, Malone House and other external venues, as part of efforts to limit the spread of Covid-19.

The change will be implemented from Monday 23 March.

A council spokesperson said: "We appreciate this decision will have an impact on couples and their families, and we are in direct contact with any couples who this affects. We will keep this under review.

"Registration of births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships will continue at City Hall. Access is via the back gate (Donegall Square South) only."

Further information on council facilities is available online.

East Belfast Route To Undergo Essential Works

A route in east Belfast is set to undergo essential construction work starting next week.

Concrete piles will be installed along Barnetts Road between Kings Road and Thornhill Parade, which will stabilise the Comber Greenway embankment and support a new footway and masonry wall.

Work will begin on Monday 25 March and run for around 12 weeks.

Barnetts Road will close to through traffic between Kings Road and Thornhill Park from Wednesday 25 March until Sunday 12 April.

A one way lane closure will then operate from Monday 13 April until Monday 01 June when traffic will be permitted to travel from Kings Road towards Thornhill Park.

A full road closure will again be in operation from Monday 04 May until Friday 08 May to allow for final works.

Road users can expect some disruption and are advised to allow additional time when planning their journeys.

When complete, this work will see the Barnetts Road improvement scheme reach completion, which included a widening and realignment of the carriageway and new footways on Barnetts Road between Kings Road and Thornhill Parade.



(JG)

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