Coronavirus: Derry MP Colum Eastwood calls for coordinated response to COVID-19 in Ireland

Speaking as the North South Ministerial Council met to discuss the coronavirus outbreak he said following separate strategies north and south was not tenable.

"This virus doesn’t operate on the basis of jurisdictional lines, we are tying our own hands if our response diverges at Newry or Strabane or Derry.

"It is critical that our response is guided by the best available medical advice, understanding that there are differences of opinion even in the scientific and medical community about how best to tackle this crisis.

"Our unique geography, however, is a fixed reality. Whatever the response, it must extend across this island.

“I don’t believe that anyone is using this outbreak as a proxy for constitutional politics. In every conversation that I’ve had with political leaders, they have been motivated by the urgent need to protect lives.

"It is my firm view, however, that our responses must now unite and we must provide clear, decisive leadership."