Police have issued a statement after calls for officers here to have the same powers as their counterparts in England and Wales.
During a policing board meeting, Chief Constable Simon Byrne discussed powers available to officers elsewhere in the UK regarding the ability to detain people suspected of having the Covid-19 virus who are unwilling to self-quarantine.
In a statement issued this morning PSNI reiterated that 'discussions are ongoing with Government officials' and said it's important to 'maintain perspective' on the developing situation.
Chief Superintendent Sam Donaldson said: “We are working with our partners across Government to support the response to Covid-19 Coronavirus. 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 to 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."
Chief Superintendent Donaldson also said whatever response police take will be in line with the law.
He added: "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.”
UUP spokesperson Doug Beattie MC MLA, stated his party’s support for the PSNI having the same powers as the police in England and Wales.
Mr Beattie said: “Northern Ireland needs to have the same powers as the rest of the United Kingdom.
“This would relate to a situation whereby a person suspected of having coronavirus refused to follow the instructions of the Public Health Agency. This is a matter of public safety.
“We cannot have these powers in one part of the United Kingdom and not another. Indeed I would be very surprised if the Irish Republic is not thinking along very similar lines.”
