Northern Ireland facing possible localised lockdown as COVID-19 infections increase

by PA Reporters and Q Radio News

The Health Minister has warned that Covid-19 is on the advance again in Northern Ireland.

Robin Swann said he was now as worried about the virus as he had been in some time.

He was leading the first Coronavirus briefing at Stormont in more than six weeks.

“We are in danger of sliding down a very slippery and treacherous slope,” he told a Stormont media briefing.

He said Northern Ireland successfully repelled the “nightmare scenario” in the first wave of Covid-19.

“The threat that stared us in the face back in March is still there but this is not the time to blink,” he said.

The Executive is to meet on Thursday to discuss possible new localised lockdown restrictions.

Robin Swann said any localised lockdowns in Northern Ireland would cover council district areas.

He said he did not believe “reckless behaviour” was to blame for the increase in cases, instead pointing to “complacency and fatigue” among the public.

Mr Swann rejected the suggestion that the region had emerged from lockdown too early.

He said a rise in cases was always expected when restrictions eased.

The minister was flanked by Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael McBride and Chief Scientific Officer, Dr Ian Young.

Dr McBride said he and Professor Young would not hesitate to recommend to ministers new localised or general restrictions in Northern Ireland.

Dr Michael McBride

He outlined to the committee what sort of measures may be needed. The CMO said most involved “close indoor social contacts”.

“That might include us looking at restrictions on the number of individuals gathering in family meetings indoors, the number of households coming together, it may require us to look at the number of people who are gathering outdoors, for instance for family events,” he said.

“We also may need to look at transport and shared transport, individuals travelling in shared vehicles, cars, etc.

“And, if indeed we see particular clusters or outbreaks that are related to particular establishments, particularly in the hospitality or service sector in terms of pubs and restaurants, those also may be things that we need to look at.”

Dr McBride said no particular pattern had emerged that helped isolate the causes of the recent upsurge in cases.

“It seems to be a general increase that we’re seeing and that is troubling,” he added.

“But we will start with making recommendations about those things that are likely have the greatest impact.”

The Department of Health is also to expand its flu vaccination programme this year to include Year 8 pupils at schools, household contacts of those who've shielded during the pandemic and staff at independent care homes.