Ten council workers out of 1000 have tested positive for COVID-19, Derry councillors told

Elected members attended the briefing yesterday to get an overview on how Council is continuing to provide services and responding accordingly to the worrying increase in COVID 19 cases across the Council area.

They heard that a small number of staff – less than 10 out of a workforce of 1000 - have tested positive and a small number of staff are self-isolating and all measures to protect staff are in place.

Members were reminded that every effort would be made to retain all essential services and that possible impacts on services was inevitable over the coming days and weeks as managers adapt to new working practices and possible further staff issues.

Members attending the meeting agreed to a proposal for all Council committee meetings, including the Planning Committee and Full Council to resume to online for the month of October, to be reviewed at the end of the month. It was also agreed at the meeting that the focus of the Halloween celebrations will be on digital programming and city dressing, with plans for fireworks to be cancelled in the interests of health and safety and to ensure there is no gatherings of people in our city and town centres on Halloween night. Details of the online programme, animation and street dressing will be unveiled next week.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Brian Tierney, who chaired the meeting, acknowledged the work being done by officials to keep essential services operating in difficult circumstances and praised the leadership role the Council has taken throughout the situation.

He said Council had responded promptly and proportionately to the first wave of the virus and had the mechanisms in place to deal with the current situation and any pending second wave.

He appealed to the wider community in Derry and Strabane not to be fearful but to act proactively and with their usual goodwill and community spirit they are renowned for, by taking the necessary steps to reduce the spread of the virus.

He said by following the simple rules around hand washing, keeping 2metres apart, wearing a face covering and reducing the number of social contacts, they can make a positive impact to reduce the numbers and keep people safe over the coming days and weeks.