Angry exchanges after DUP blocks extension of NI Covid restrictions

Stormont executive ministers were involved in angry exchanges after the DUP moved to block a proposal to extend the Northern Ireland circuit break block for two more weeks.

The call from DUP Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots for the proposal to be decided using the intercommunity voting mechanism, effectively granting a veto to his party, prompted heated responses from other parties during a meeting Tuesday night.

The recommendation to extend the circuit interruption measures in full was put forward by Health Minister Robin Swann, who warned of another increase in cases in mid-December if the measure was not taken.

The DUP has opposed extending the full set of restrictions beyond the original four-week period.

After Swann’s document was rejected, the ministers moved on to debate alternative proposals put forward by DUP Finance Minister Diane Dodds. Ms. Dodds has recommended a partial reopening of the hospitality industry.

The exchanges continued Tuesday night, and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Michael McBride and Chief Scientific Advisor Professor Ian Young outlined the implications of Ms. Dodds’ proposals.

The meeting was called around 6 p.m., nearly 24 hours after the exchanges broke up on Monday with no agreement.

Ministers disagree on whether to extend, amend or relax the current four-week circuit interruption measures, which expire at midnight Thursday.

The breakdown has forced the closure of much of the hospitality industry in Northern Ireland and halted the work of close contact services such as hairdressing.

The PA news agency understands that the measures in Ms. Dodds’ alternative document include:

• Close contact services, including driving lessons, can be resumed on November 13 by appointment only.
• Unlicensed venues, including cafes and coffee shops, may reopen on November 13.
• Hotels capable of serving food and alcohol to residents.
• The licensed premises remain closed until November 27. Group “Safely open”, which involves the hotel and executive sector, which will be established to oversee this movement.
• Pubs and bars capable of offering closed sales as of November 13.

An additional 11 Covid-19 related deaths were announced in Northern Ireland on Tuesday, along with 514 new confirmed cases.

On Tuesday morning, Prime Minister Arlene Foster expressed her confidence that the Executive can find a consensus position.

He told the Assembly that it was necessary to develop a “clear exit strategy” from the closure measures.

“I don’t think we can continuously go into circuit breakers, locks, call them what you want,” he said.

“You cannot keep turning the economy on and off.

“When you return once there will be nothing left and people will not have jobs, they will not be able to support their families, they will fall into destitution and poverty, and that in itself has its own health results. – mental health and, as I say, problems related to poverty.

“That is why it is necessary for us to find a way forward. I hope we can all work collaboratively to find a way forward. “

Sinn Féin MP Chris Hazzard said his party supported the resumption of close contact services but believed that restrictions on the hospitality sector should be extended.

Hazzard said it would be unwise to dismiss advances in reducing infection rates.

“I think there is a case where close contact services are concerned, relaxation can be sought,” he told BBC Radio Ulster.

“But I think overall, it’s important that we find a way forward now that leads into the new year, and for me that means the restrictions need to stay in place for another two weeks.