It's claimed tighter restrictions aren't being introduced in Northern Ireland for political reasons.
It's after a record 1,080 cases of Covid-19 were confirmed in the region yesterday.
Almost a third of the North's 18,200 cases have taken place in the past week - but the region still has less severe restrictions than the Republic.
Anne Speed, the lead negotiator for the North's health trade unions, says that's because the devolved government in the North doesn't have the same powers as it's counterpart south of the border.
This means the NI assembly cannot raise finances to fund and support increased restrictions in the same way as the Republic.
It comes amid huge concern in border counties of a 'spill-over' affect of coronavirus cases, as people continue to regularly cross for work, education and healthcare purposes.
