4 Week 'Circuit-Breaker' Covid Lockdown In Effect In Northern Ireland

There were 1,299 new coronavirus cases in the North today

A four-week "circuit-breaker" coronavirus lockdown has come into effect in Northern Ireland.

Schools are closed for two weeks and pubs and restaurants have now been ordered to close for a month, except for deliveries and takeaways 

Dr Michael McBride, the chief medical officer, explains why they've taken that decision: