Two PSNI staff members have had coronavirus, says Chief

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Monday, 30 March 2020 09:48

By Grainne Connolly

By Rebecca Black, PA

Two members of the PSNI staff have had coronavirus, the Chief Constable has said.

Simon Byrne said other staff are "coming and going" and taking self-isolation precautions to minimise the spread of Covid-19, but added he has been impressed by the lack of absences so far.

Around 20% of Prison Service staff are currently absent, it has emerged.

Mr Byrne said the PSNI is "not seeing figures anywhere like that".

"We just have two members of staff who are confirmed to have had the virus, we have people that are coming and going... self-isolating and coming back to work," he told BBC Radio Ulster.

"As we stand we are the third lowest police service anywhere in the UK for absence at work so that's a tribute to the commitment and energy of our officers and staff to keep the place going because of a sense of duty and public service. I've been hugely impressed."