Important to have public discourse over coronavirus restrictions – minister

A Stormont minister has said it is “important to have public discourse” over how to halt the surge of coronavirus cases.

ducation Minister Peter Weir, of the DUP, was speaking after his party colleague and fellow minister Edwin Poots railed against tough new restrictions agreed by the Executive last week.

Mr Poots said his party had opposed some of the restrictions, and claimed some colleagues at the Executive “don’t seem to care” that people would lose their jobs as a result of the steps.

He also pointed the finger of blame at certain sporting activities and, in particular, post-match celebration events.

Asked if he was referring to the GAA, the minister replied: “I am not labelling one particular group of people, but if people feel the cap fits that’s entirely up to them.”

Mr Weir said people have “a right to express their opinions”.

“What was agreed was a compromised position, I think it is reflecting remarks that have been made from the party leader and others as well,” he told the BBC.

“If the DUP was deciding itself precisely what would happen in Northern Ireland, would this be of exactly the same nature? No it wouldn’t. But I think the same would also apply to other parties as well.

“We’re looking ahead to what will happen over the next number of months within Northern Ireland, and it’s important that we do have a level of public discussion and try to tease out from everyone what the precise direction of travel should be. What measures will be effective, what won’t.

“I think we’ve got to have that level of public debate while sending out a strong message.”

Ulster Unionist leader Steve Aiken criticised Mr Poots for his comments, adding that if he was a member of his party, he “would be asking him to reconsider his position”.

Communities Minister Caral Ni Chuilin (Sinn Fein) also sparked a row over the weekend after advising sporting organisations that spectators should not be allowed at matches.

First Minister Arlene Foster took a different view, stating the regulations “do not ban spectators in the grounds of elite sports”.

“The existing position is maintained permitting a limited number to attend. Preposterous for clubs to be told anything to the contrary,” she posted on Twitter.

Ms Ni Chuilin later stood by her stance, saying she issued her guidance following advice from the chief medical officer and chief scientific adviser.

“I’m appealing to the sporting bodies to take my advice and to try to play their events behind closed doors because I think we all are trying our best to be safe, to protect lives and to protect each other,” she told the BBC.

“I have a duty as Minister of Sport to ensure that not only are the sporting bodies, the fans, but the general public are protected.”

On Sunday morning it emerged that four prison officers have tested positive for Covid-19.

The staff are based at the Hydebank Wood (HBW) facility for women and young offenders in south Belfast.

The Northern Ireland Prison Service said a further 14 staff who tested negative are self-isolating and two prisoners have also been put into isolation as a precaution.

A spokesman said: “The safety of staff and the people in our care is our priority and the prison service will take all necessary steps to mitigate against the risk of Covid-19 in our prisons.”

Prison visits were temporarily suspended on Friday as Northern Ireland came under tough new restrictions aimed at stemming the spread of coronavirus.

There has been a marked increase in the number of new cases of the virus in the region, with hospital admissions also starting to rise.

Some 1,012 new Covid-19 cases in the last 24-hour reporting period were announced on Sunday by the Department of Health, making 7,090 new cases in the last seven days.

Five deaths reported taking the toll recorded by the department to 615.

As of Sunday, there were 228 patients with Covid-19 being treated in hospital, with 30 in intensive care.

PA